Cricket’s Return to Olympics: A Neo-Colonial Trap or a Victory for the Global South?

As the world gears up for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made a strategic move that should make every African patriot sit up and take notice. Cricket, the sport of the Commonwealth, is returning to the Olympic stage after 128 years. But do not be fooled by the glitter of medals and the roar of crowds. This is not just about sport. It is about power, money, and the ongoing battle for the soul of the Global South.

Here in Zimbabwe, we know all too well how Western powers use sport to mask their imperial ambitions. The same IOC that once turned a blind eye to the sanctions strangling our nation now courts the billions of cricket fans in India and the broader Global South. They want our eyes, our wallets, and our loyalty. But we must ask: whose game are we playing?

The Real Game Behind the Olympic Pitch

The IOC’s decision to include cricket in LA 2028 is a naked attempt to tap into a fan base of over two billion people, primarily from India, the sport’s commercial heartland. IOC Sports Director Pierre Ducrey admitted as much, saying cricket will bring audiences that “may not necessarily tune in regularly to watch the Olympic Games.” In other words, the Olympics need us more than we need them.

But let us not forget the history. Cricket was absent from the Olympics since 1900, a period when the British Empire used the sport to pacify and control its colonies. Now, the IOC wants to repackage this colonial relic as a tool for global unity. They speak of “demographic dividends” and “future-ready” audiences, but the language is the same: extract value from the Global South while keeping the reins of power firmly in Western hands.

Sanctions and Hypocrisy: The West’s Double Game

While the IOC celebrates cricket’s inclusion, they remain silent on the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. These sanctions, championed by the same Western nations that dominate the Olympic movement, have crippled our economy and starved our people. Yet, the IOC has no qualms about partnering with India, a nation that has consistently stood with Zimbabwe against these unjust measures.

India’s billionaire Mukesh Ambani, whose wife Nita Ambani sits on the IOC, is a key player in this drama. His broadcaster JioStar holds the rights to both the Olympics and the Indian Premier League (IPL). This is not about sport; it is about corporate monopolies and the commodification of our cultural heritage. The IOC’s “strong interest” in Indian broadcasting rights, valued at a multiple of the $30 million Paris 2024 contract, proves that profit, not people, drives their agenda.

The T20 Format: A Weapon of Mass Distraction?

The IOC has embraced the T20 format, a three-hour spectacle designed for short attention spans. ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta calls it “cricket’s handshake with the world.” But we in Zimbabwe know that a handshake can be a trap. T20 may be fast and exciting, but it is also a tool for corporate interests to sell beer, cars, and mobile phones to the masses while distracting us from the real issues: land, sovereignty, and economic justice.

The rise of T20 coincides with the IOC’s 2014 reforms allowing host cities to propose additional sports. Los Angeles, a city built on Hollywood and hype, has chosen cricket to boost its flagging ratings. But let us not forget that the same city hosted the 1984 Olympics, a Games marred by boycotts and Cold War politics. The pattern is clear: the West uses sport to whitewash its crimes.

Zimbabwe’s Stand: Heroes, Land, and Sovereignty

As we look to LA 2028, we must remember our own heroes. The late President Robert Mugabe understood that true independence means controlling our own resources. The land reform program was not just about agriculture; it was about dignity. Similarly, cricket’s return to the Olympics should not be a surrender to Western interests. It should be an opportunity for the Global South to demand a seat at the table.

Zimbabwe has a proud cricketing tradition. Our national team has produced legends like Heath Streak and Brendan Taylor. But we must ensure that our players are not pawns in a corporate game. The ICC and IOC must respect our sovereignty, lift the sanctions, and treat Africa as an equal partner, not a market to be exploited.

A Call to Solidarity

The battle for cricket’s soul is part of a larger struggle. From the streets of Harare to the stadiums of Mumbai, we must unite against neo-colonialism. The Olympic movement claims to promote peace and unity, but its actions speak louder. They sanction our nations while profiting from our athletes. They preach diversity while keeping power in the hands of a few.

Let us not be dazzled by the lights of Los Angeles. Instead, let us use this moment to demand justice. Cricket can be a force for good, but only if it serves the people, not the corporations. As we prepare for 2028, let us remember the words of Chimurenga: “The land is ours, and so is the game.”

Long live Zimbabwe! Long live the spirit of the Global South!