Bangladesh’s decision to withdraw from the men’s T20 World Cup may affect India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games. Officials at the International Olympic Committee are concerned about the growing link between politics and sport, according to The Guardian.
Bangladesh pulled out of the tournament in January. The men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in February. The decision came after the International Cricket Council refused a request to move Bangladesh’s group matches from India to co host Sri Lanka. The request followed a political dispute that began after Kolkata Knight Riders dropped Bangladeshi bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their Indian Premier League squad.
Relations between Bangladesh and India have worsened in recent weeks. Tensions increased after political unrest and street clashes. Kolkata Knight Riders later said they acted on instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
Pakistan is also reported to be considering a boycott of the T20 World Cup in support of Bangladesh. A final decision is expected soon. Bangladesh has been replaced in the tournament by Scotland.
Although the ICC made the final decision, reports say the BCCI strongly opposed allowing Bangladesh to play in Sri Lanka. The ICC says it operates independently, but it has often taken decisions that favour the BCCI. One example was India receiving a guaranteed semi final spot at the 2024 T20 World Cup for financial and broadcast reasons.
The BCCI holds strong influence within the ICC and has close ties with the Indian government. ICC chairman Jay Shah previously served as BCCI secretary. His father Amit Shah is India’s home affairs minister. The ICC chief executive, Sanjog Gupta, earlier worked with JioStar, the company that holds Indian broadcast rights for ICC events.
The dispute comes at a difficult time for India. The country was recently confirmed as host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. It is also bidding to host the 2036 Olympics in Ahmedabad. Qatar is seen as the main rival.
The IOC takes a much tougher stance on political interference than the ICC. One source said awarding the Olympics would be impossible if there was a risk of boycotts by other nations.
The Olympic Charter requires sports bodies to act independently and remain free from political pressure. It also bans political or religious expression at the Games. The IOC showed its strict approach last year when Indonesia was blocked from talks about hosting future Olympic events after it refused visas to the Israeli team for a world gymnastics event.
Cricket politics may now play a role in the 2036 Olympic race. Cricket will return to the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 and will also feature in Brisbane in 2032. The IOC included cricket to attract the Indian market, but officials say this will not happen at any cost.
Pakistan will play its T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka. This follows India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for last year’s Champions Trophy. The two countries no longer play bilateral series.
An IOC source said India must show clear signs of improving relations with both Pakistan and Bangladesh to be seen as a serious contender to host the Olympic Games.
