California pushes to recognize cricket as high school sport

During a recent government meeting, Assembly member Carl Welcome introduced ACR 211, a resolution aimed at encouraging the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) to officially recognize cricket as a high school sport. Currently, cricket is not sanctioned as an official sport in California, which limits students' opportunities to engage in this globally popular game.

Cricket, which originated in the United Kingdom in the 19th century, has gained significant traction worldwide, including in the United States, where over 200,000 individuals participate in the sport. California has emerged as a key hub for American cricket, hosting two of the six Major League Cricket teams and preparing for cricket's reintroduction as an Olympic sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, the first time since 1900.

The resolution highlights the cultural significance of cricket, particularly for the South Asian diaspora in California, where the sport is considered an integral part of their heritage. ACR 211 calls on the CIF to take action if a member school proposes cricket for consideration, emphasizing that establishing high school cricket could pave the way for continued participation at the collegiate level.

The meeting featured testimony from Dan Sahadeo, president of the Davis Cricket Club, who supported the resolution. ACR 211 not only aims to celebrate cricket's rich history but also seeks to ensure a promising future for the sport in California's educational institutions.