\(\stackrel\frown{AOB} = \stackrel\frown{BOC} = \stackrel\frown{COD} = \stackrel\frown{DOE} = 60°\)
In \(\Delta AOB\), Area of sector = \(\frac{60}{360} \times \frac{22}{7} \times 7^{2}\)
= \(25.67 cm^{2}\)
Area of triangle AOB = \(\frac{1}{2} \times \7 \times 7 \times \sin 60\)
= \(24.5 \times 0.866\)
= \(21.22 cm^{2}\)
Area of the 4 sectors = \(4 \times 25.67 = 102.68 cm^{2}\)
Area of the 4 triangles = \(4 \times 21.22 = 84.88 cm^{2}\)
Area of the shaded portion = \((102.68 - 84.88)cm^{2}\)
= \(17.80 cm^{2}\)
\(\approxeq 18 cm^{2}\)