A delegation led by Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Dr Kishore Shallow and Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) president Keith Joseph visited Lima, Peru, from February 21–23, to discuss and promote international collaboration for cricket ahead of the highly anticipated 2027 Pan American Games.
The visit aimed to strengthen partnerships between nations and explore the potential inclusion of cricket in this landmark event.
Other key participants included Renzo Manyari Velazco, president of the Peruvian Olympic Committee (POC); former POC president José Quinones González; Dario Barthley, CEO of BMP Sports; and Mohan Vaswani, vice president, Cricket Peru.
The discussions focused on advancing cricket development in Peru, fostering collaborative training programmes, and creating exchange initiatives to enhance the sport’s presence in the region.
The delegation also explored strategies for building the necessary infrastructure to support cricket’s growth, ensuring that the sport is well-positioned for inclusion in the 2027 Pan Am Games. This initiative represents a significant step forward, not only for Peru but also for cricket’s broader expansion across the Americas.
The engagement was initiated by CANOC, with president Keith Joseph emphasising the significance of Cricket West Indies’ involvement. He stated:
“The impact of West Indies cricket across the globe is well known. Having Cricket West Indies involved in the effort to bring cricket to the Pan Am Games is crucial. This preliminary engagement marks a significant step toward realising that dream.”
Dr Shallow expressed optimism about the discussions, highlighting CWI’s broader vision:
“As part of CWI’s strategic plan for 2024–2027, expanding our market and accessing new developmental opportunities are critical priorities. Peru presents excellent prospects, and both parties stand to benefit from collaboration.”
Dr Shallow added: “With the Pan Am Games on the horizon, we are enthusiastic about cricket’s inclusion. CWI is fully committed and prepared to play a key role in bringing this vision to life—not just for the Pan Am Games, but also as a stepping stone to the 2028 Olympics.”
CWI said in a release that partnerships like the one with Peru will play a crucial role in shaping the sport’s future. The release stated further: “The visit to Peru marks an important milestone in strengthening ties between the Caribbean and South America, paving the way for cricket’s inclusion on one of the region’s biggest sporting stages.
With continued collaboration, investment, and strategic planning, the idea of seeing cricket at the 2027 Pan Am Games and eventually at the 2028 Olympics is closer to becoming a reality.”
