Cricket West Indies Celebrates Historic Cricket Debut at the Bolivarian Games in Peru
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua — Cricket West Indies (CWI) has extended its congratulations to all participating West Indian teams and the organisers of the 2025 Bolivarian Games, held from 22 November to 7 December in Lima and Ayacucho, Peru.
The Bolivarian Games, a prestigious multi-sport event uniting athletes from 17 nations across the Americas, featured cricket for the first time in the 87-year history of the Games, marking a significant milestone for the sport.
The West Indies fielded six men and women Caribbean teams, two each from Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Barbados Men and Jamaica Women won the first ever gold medals, with Trinidad and Tobago’s Men’s and Women’s teams securing the silver medals.
This historic inclusion represents a major step forward in the expansion and recognition of cricket across Latin America, reflecting the sport’s growing appeal and CWI’s commitment to regional development.
The Bolivarian Games also served as an important precursor to larger multi-sport stages, including the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, where cricket will also debut, and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, marking cricket’s return to the Olympic arena for the first time since 1900.
CWI commends the Peruvian Olympic Committee, the Bolivarian Sports Organization (ODEBO), and the entire Bolivarian Games Organising Committee for their successful execution of this landmark event, and thanked Mr. Mohan Vaswani, General Secretary of the Peru Cricket Association, for his instrumental support in helping to facilitate cricket’s successful debut.
CWI also recognises the roles of Pan Am Sports and the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), in particular Ms. Vida Bruno-Victor and Mr. Keith Joseph, 1st Vice President and President respectively, who provided strong support throughout the process.
Chris Dehring, Chief Executive Officer of Cricket West Indies, said:
“The inclusion of cricket at the 2025 Bolivarian Games is a defining moment for the hemisphere. It not only celebrates the longstanding traditions of our sport but also signifies the limitless potential of cricket as a unifying force across the Americas."
"We were proud to make the event happen with our teams and grateful to our hosts in Peru for their partnership. This historic initiative paves the way for greater opportunities ahead, including the Pan American Games and the Olympic movement, and we remain committed to advancing cricket’s global journey with passion and purpose."
During the tournament, Dehring represented the Caribbean's interests in meetings involving ICC Americas, Pan Am Sports and CANOC, with a view towards establishing the qualification pathway for the Pan American Games in 2027.
Dehring added:
"Plans for qualification to the Pan American Games and the Olympics in 2028 are advancing rapidly and Caribbean countries need to get their houses and preparations in order very quickly if they wish to participate in this opportunity."
"CWI reaffirms its commitment to lead the growth of the sport throughout the Americas, working collaboratively with ICC Americas and their member countries. This can only benefit the development of cricket in the Caribbean as we extend our domestic competition and market reach across North, Central and South America."
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