Cricket in China is in a very good position to establish itself as a promising success earner for the world's populous nation in the near future. International Cricket Council president David Morgan, who was in Beijing recently to meet up with the various National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to lobby for the inclusion of Twenty20 cricket in the Olympics, also met officials from the Chinese Cricket Association (CCA) and came away impressed with their future plans for the game.One significant development is the inclusion of T20 cricket at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou where India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and China will be automatic participants while three more teams will make it through qualifiers to be played in 2009.
Big test
CCA Deputy Secretary General, Zhang Tian has said that China is eagerly looking forward to its real big cricket test at the Asian Games, given the existence of lower level club cricket across different parts of the country for some time now.
However, the biggest problem facing the nation is the serious lack of a cricketing culture. But ask people here and they believe this shortcoming will be overcome too.
"China have already set in place a grass-root level programme to encourage youngsters to take up cricket. Though there are not too many expert coaches of the game here, they plan to bring in international coaches to train their kids," Peggy Yuan, a senior sports reporter with the China Daily told MiD DAY.
An example of the impressive sporting culture in schools here is the fact that kids are compulsorily made to participate in physical sports.
Finally, as for the adoption and acceptance of cricket is concerned, people here are confident that though a new sport may take time to do well, given the persistent nature of the Chinese government and its people alike, success will come for sure.
"If you ask most of the people around who Sachin Tendulkar is, they won't know. They won't know any of the game's heroes for that matter but it won't take long before they do. The Olympics is an example of this.
"About half a decade ago not many in China knew American swimmer Michael Phelps or for that matter even pole-vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva. But now ask them and they will reveal all details of the two world champions athletes along with their records. That's how passionate the Chinese are if they wish to pursue something seriously," Mau Xian, a professor in a nearby College said.
Beware India
India's Men in Blue could do well keeping an eye on their sub-continental neighbours. Before Athens, world record hurdler Liu Xiang was not looked upon as a serious world title contender. He was an underdog and emerged champion in a very short period. Chinese cricket too could well be headed the same way.
