FILE PHOTO: An LA2028 sign is seen at the Los Angeles Coliseum to celebrate Los Angeles being awarded the 2028 Olympic Games, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., September 13, 2017. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
-The lacrosse world map expanded further east this week as Bangladesh became the 94th country to join the sport's global governing body, continuing a remarkable growth trajectory for a game set to make its Olympic return after a 120-year absence.
Lacrosse will feature in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, marking its return as a medal sport for the first time since 1908.
Bangladesh became the 21st member of the Asia-Pacific Lacrosse Union (APLU), which celebrates its 21st anniversary this year, and joins neighbours Pakistan and India in forming a growing South Asian presence in the sport, World Lacrosse said on Wednesday.
"We're grateful for the effort of those in Bangladesh to foster a playing community, and look forward to new and exciting possibilities for competition in this region," said World Lacrosse Director of Sport TJ Buchanan.
The addition marks the second new member country for World Lacrosse in 2025, following the inclusion of Armenia in February. The global governing body has enjoyed a rapid recent expansion with 21 new nations joining since the start of 2022.
The APLU has been developing membership across various regions of Asia, with particular focus on creating competition opportunities for newer members in South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, a development whichwill be showcased at the second Asian Lacrosse Games, scheduled for September in Saudi Arabia.
The region is also becoming a championship hub, with the APLU set to host the next three World Lacrosse Championships – beginning with the men's U20 event on Korea's Jeju Island in August, followed by the men's and women's championships in Japan in 2026 and 2027.
(Editing by Christian Radnedge)
