Birmingham 2022 is set for largest ever female and para-sport programme in history following the Commonwealth Games Federation’s announcement that Women’s T20 Cricket, Beach Volleyball and Para Table Tennis were confirmed for the next Commonwealth Games.
This announcement comes after the 71 Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) voted by the required majority to accept the proposal from Birmingham 2022 to add these three sports to the existing programme.
#Birmingham2022 will have largest ever female and para sport programme in history. Three new sports
Women's T20 Cricket 🏏
Beach volleyball 🏐
Para table tennis 🏓confirmed for the next #CommonwealthGameshttps://t.co/c4cjOPi6Sl pic.twitter.com/YS5oBRw77a
— Commonwealth Sport (@thecgf) August 13, 2019
Commonwealth Games Australia supported the proposal and whilst disappointed that archery and shooting weren’t included in the 2022 sport program proposal, welcomes the return of Beach Volleyball and Para Table Tennis and the inclusion of Women’s T20 Cricket for the first time at the Games.
“Commonwealth Games Australia is particularly excited about the inclusion of women’s T20 cricket. Australia is hosting the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup next year and the game continues to grow in popularity throughout Australia and the Commonwealth,” CGA President Ben Houston said.
The addition of Women’s T20 Cricket will see eight teams competing at Birmingham’s iconic Edgbaston Stadium. This adds to a strong female sports programme which, as it stands, will see two more women’s medal events than men’s at the Games, with 135 compared to 133. There are currently seven mixed events, with the confirmed event programme to be announced next year.
It marks the first time in history that a major multi-sport event will feature more women’s than men’s medal events.
The addition of these sports means Birmingham 2022 is expected to surpass the previous Commonwealth Games record for women’s medal events in Gold Coast 2018 by two.
With the inclusion of Para Table Tennis, the Games will have more para sports of the programme at a Commonwealth Games than ever before, with eight para sports now confirmed for the multi-sport competition.
Beach Volleyball joins the sports programme for Birmingham 2022 following a hugely successful Commonwealth Games debut at Gold Coast 2018, where it became one of the star attractions at the Games.
CGF President Dame Louise Martin said: “Today is an historic day for the Commonwealth Games and I am delighted that we can now confirm that Birmingham 2022 is set to have the largest ever female and para-sport programme in history.
“I would like to congratulate and formally welcome Women’s T20 Cricket, Beach Volleyball and Para Table Tennis to the official sports programme for Birmingham 2022 and I know they will all help enhance what will be a spectacular and vibrant multi-sport event.
“I would also like to thank our Commonwealth Games Associations for recognising the benefit that these three exciting sports will add to Birmingham 2022 and voting to include them to the sports programme.
“We are passionate advocates of women’s sport and para-sport so I am thrilled we are able to make this special announcement today.”
Ian Reid, Chief Executive of Birmingham 2022 said: “I am delighted that our proposal to add women’s cricket, beach volleyball and para table tennis to our sports programme has been endorsed by the CGF’s Executive Board and now by Commonwealth Games Associations from across the globe.
“We’re also delighted that we’re now able to add Edgbaston Stadium to our list of venues for Birmingham 2022, as it’s truly a world-class facility and a jewel in Birmingham’s sporting crown.”
The announcement also confirms that there will be up to 4,500 athletes competing at Birmingham 2022 across 19 sports. The Games will take place from 27 July to August 7 in 2022.