Nongpoh, May 20: In a big day for cricket in the Northeast, BCCI President Roger Binney and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah virtually laid the foundation stone of indoor cricket facilities being built in Riboi and five neighboring provinces. Ta.
The location of Meghalaya's first indoor training facility to be fully accredited by the BCCI is at Madan Kulkaran on land provided by Lumdaikulla Dorbar Shnon. The official unveiling of the foundation stone of the Riboi facility took place on Monday.
The infrastructure, which is expected to be completed in September, will include four full-length practice fields, a swimming pool, a gym, and changing rooms, making it possible to train throughout the year, which was previously difficult to do outdoors. cloud.
The Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) has also proposed on-site accommodation for cricketers so that they can spend sufficient time at the facility for training. The company is also looking for land for a similar facility in Garo Hills.
Monday's historic event was attended by Minister Al Hek, who attended as advisor to Rumdayikra Dorbar Shnon, MCA President Nababrata Bhattacharjee, Vice President Raymond Harkamuni, Honorary Secretary Gideon Kharkongol, Honorary Treasurer Dhrubajyoti Takuria, and Rumdaykrah. Mr Lamba Shnon of Dorbar was present. Chenon ST Rinpei, other members of the MCA, Dover Chenon, district associations and young players from all over the state.
At the virtual foundation stone laying ceremony, Mr. Shah, along with Mr. Bhattacharjee, promoted the formal accession of Meghalaya and five other northeastern states (Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim) to the BCCI in 2017. I recalled.
BCCI chief asks states to use indoor facilities only for developing local talent, MCA president Bhattacharjee on Monday reiterated MCA's decision not to field guest players in last season's Ranji Trophy team. However, this was not a problem for the state. March to qualify for elite group first-class cricket for the upcoming 2024-25 season.
BCCI president Binny, a former Indian international cricketer, said the indoor facility will be the “backbone” of cricket's development and will “change the way we play and look at cricket and will be a huge boost for the younger generation going forward.”
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma also attended the virtual cornerstone laying ceremony and said the event was a strong message of inclusivity for the Northeast, which has missed out on opportunities because it has not been a cricketing capital.
On Monday, MCA Secretary Kharkongol said the BCCI Secretary and President took time for the virtual function despite their busy schedules.
He, Mr. Bhattacharjee and Mr. Hek all praised Lumdaikra Dorbar Shnon, and they were proactive and enthusiastic about partnering with MCA to bring this project to fruition on the seven-acre site.
“This center will enable our cricketers to compete in today's world,” Khargongor said.
“The days we can play here will be limited by the weather, but an indoor facility like this will help with year-round training. The state government has provided space in Maukanu and we are looking at how we can move forward with that. I’ll take a look.”
Mr. Heck appreciated the Rumdaikra authorities' decision and said Dolbar Shnon's approach was “visionary”.
“I commend their willingness to cooperate with MCA and BCCI,” he added.
Bhattacharjee said the MCA is determined to continue with the local-only player policy.
“Meghalaya is one of the few states that has only local players and we have reached the Ranji elite group with only local players,” he said.
“This is our promise. We don't care if we lose, but we want to improve our strength.”
Looking to the future, he added: Over the next five years, we'll likely have one or two players representing their country on boys' or girls' age groups. Let's spread this message like a revolution across the state and grow cricket. We must take action, the time has come. ”
