Russia has officially refused to recognize cricket???which is considered the second most popular sport in the world after football??? as a sport, according to a Russian Sports Ministry memo.
Russia?s ?registry of sports??lists?recognized disciplines that include ice stock sport?? similar to curling ??and korfball?? a Dutch unisex sport. The International Olympic Committee (IOC)?recognized?cricket, which has not been featured in the Summer Games since 1900, a decade ago.
Also read ?‘Overdoing’ Cricket
?Refuse recognition of cricket as a sport,??reads?the memo authored by Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov dated Monday, July 15.
The directive also lists Thai boxing known as Muay Thai as a non-sport in Russia.
The Russian Sports Ministry decision came a day after host nation England won the cricket World Cup.
.. Source