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New Delhi, August 29: Newly appointed ICC Chairman Jay Shah has conveyed his wishes on National Sports Day, which celebrates the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, a legendary figure in Indian hockey.
Dhyan Chand, renowned as 'The Wizard,' played for the Indian hockey team from 1925 to 1949 and scored over 1,500 goals in 185 international matches. His remarkable career includes winning three Olympic Gold Medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936. In 1956, he was honored with the Padma Bhushan. His birth anniversary on August 29 is observed as National Sports Day.
In a statement on social media, Shah praised athletes, coaches, and everyone dedicated to sports. "On this National Sports Day, as we honor Major Dhyan Chand Ji's legacy, let us commit to making India a dominant force in global sports," Shah said.
Earlier this week, Jay Shah was elected unopposed as the next Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Shah, who has been the BCCI Secretary since October 2019 and Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council since January 2021, will take on his new role on December 1, 2024.
Shah was the sole candidate for the position following the decision of the current ICC Chair, Greg Barclay, not to seek a third term. Shah has expressed his goal of enhancing cricket's global presence, particularly with its inclusion in the LA 2028 Olympics—a development he views as a crucial opportunity for the sport.
"I am honored to be nominated as ICC Chair," Shah said. "I am committed to collaborating with the ICC team and member nations to globalize cricket. We need to balance various formats, embrace advanced technologies, and introduce our major events to new markets. Our aim is to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever."
Shah emphasized the importance of innovation in promoting cricket worldwide and expressed confidence that the sport's inclusion in the 2028 Olympics will drive its growth. As the youngest ICC Chairman, Shah follows in the footsteps of previous Indian leaders like Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan, and Shashank Manohar, marking a new era for the ICC in expanding cricket's global reach.
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