President of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), Keith Joseph, has come out strongly in support of Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) position regarding the proposed qualification format for cricket’s return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028.

Joseph described the current proposal by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which could see Caribbean nations competing as individual countries rather than as the traditional West Indies team, as deeply concerning and a misunderstanding of the region’s sporting identity.

In a statement backing CWI’s stance, Joseph said:

"It is most unfortunate that the ICC and indeed the IOC appear not to understand the history of the West Indies as a cricket team in international competitions over several decades."

He noted that the West Indies cricket team has long served as a symbol of regional unity and excellence, with athletes from across the Caribbean coming together under a single flag to compete and succeed at the highest levels of the sport.

Joseph continued: "The decision to use national rankings to determine qualification for the Olympic Games in 2028 clearly denies the reality that is West Indies cricket. The West Indies is not a member of the IOC and therefore cannot be invited to participate. The countries that comprise the West Indies cricket team are all members of the IOC but not of the ICC."

Highlighting the administrative and representational complexities, Joseph further argued:

"This is where the problem lies. The ICC and IOC have not worked out a formula that respects the reality that is West Indies cricket. The players represent the West Indies and not their individual countries. It would therefore be wholly inappropriate for individual countries to be asked to participate in the qualification process or in the Olympic Games were the West Indies to qualify."

Calling for immediate action, the CANOC president urged governing bodies to reassess the proposed framework:

"CANOC supports the position of CWI in this matter and urges the ICC, IOC and LA28 Organising Committee to address this issue urgently, respectfully and meaningfully."

Joseph's comments underscore growing frustration within the Caribbean sporting community that the current Olympic qualification model risks undermining decades of regional sporting tradition. CWI has already voiced concerns that Caribbean athletes could be denied the opportunity to represent the West Indies as a unified team—something they’ve done across generations and formats.

With cricket set to make its long-awaited return to the Olympic programme in 2028, CANOC’s support strengthens CWI’s push for a solution that reflects the unique geopolitical and cultural makeup of West Indies cricket.