China could be key to Olympic inclusion

KUALA LUMPUR, Sep 19 (Reuters) Developing cricket in China would improve the sport's chances of being included in the Olympic Games, according to Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Syed Ashraful Huq.

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed is visiting China this week to assess the game's progress and to meet Chinese Olympic officials.

Huq believes that China's standing as the world's leading sporting nation can play a major role in influencing future Olympic rosters.

''China is soon expected to overtake the United States as the top Olympic nation, if not at the 2008 Beijing Olympics then possibly London,'' Huq told Reuters.

''As such they would have a lot of say in what sports are in the Olympics. That's why it is important that cricket is developed in China and, from what I've seen so far, they have made great strides.

''I don't know if cricket can make it into the London Olympics in 2012, where it could have demonstration status, but maybe the one after that.'' Huq hopes to start by convincing Chinese Olympic officials to include Twenty20 cricket in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.

He said that 50-overs cricket had been set to make its Asian Games debut in Doha in December but the ACC pulled out after the Asian test countries refused to release top players.

With the advent of Twenty20, Huq believes the Games are now ready to embrace cricket.

''The IOC (International Olympic Committee) cannot comprehend a 50-over tournament that takes weeks to complete,'' said Huq. ''With Twenty20, you can finish a big tournament within three or four days so your best players won't be tied up for so long.

''With Twenty20 being accepted now, I think it helps our cause when it comes to the Olympics.'' China's central government is always keen to throw its support behind Olympic sports and, with the rapid pace of cricket's development in the mainland, Huq is eager to see the game become part of the 2010 Asian Games.

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