With a view to develop cricket in the north-eastern region, the North East Cricket Development Committee is meeting in Gangtok for discussions on various issues.
The committee, the top cricket body of the North-east and comprises of the presidents and general secretaries of the cricket associations of the north-eastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and Sikkim. Tripura and Assam are already full-fledged members of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) and Mizoram has applied for its affiliation to the BCCI.
The committee headed by Member of Parliament and former Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has already reached Gangtok.
During the meeting, the dates of which are yet to be announced, the members of the committee will have various discussions and prepare calendar of events for cricket in the north-eastern states. The BCCI has agreed in principle to fund coaching camps and other activities and also extend financial support to give salaries to coaches, support staff etc.
The co-ordinator of the committee, Naba Bhattacharya, who is also the honorary secretary of Meghalaya Cricket Association and a member of NADP (New Area Development Programme) representing north-eastern states has been specifically sent by BCCI for inspection of Rangpo Mining ground in Sikkim and prepare a recommendation report for development of the ground and cricketing facilities at Mining ground for the benefit of Sikkim.
Another BCCI official, Ashish Bhaumick will also be visiting the Mining ground on January 27.
Meanwhile, the Sikkim Cricket Association has started a conditioning camp for the selected under-23 men’s team which shall be representing the State in the men’s under-23 one day matches to be played in Patna from January 21.