SHILLONG: Jay Shah, secretary of the board of control for cricket in India (BCCI), on Monday (May 20), laid the foundation stone for the board’s upcoming state-of-the-art training facilities in the Northeast.
The indoor cricket academies, set to be established in Shillong, Itanagar, Kohima, Aizawl, Imphal and Gangtok, will cater to players from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Jay Shah said: “Our cricketers from six states – Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim—will soon benefit from world-class indoor nets, indoor swimming pools, and fitness centres for year-round training options.”
“This, along with the launch of the new pavilion in Mizoram, are big steps towards our vision to enhance cricket infrastructure in the region, exciting times ahead,” Shah added.
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Designed specifically to nurture budding cricketers from the Northeast, the new facilities will boast world-class amenities, including indoor nets, indoor swimming pools, and fitness centres, ensuring comprehensive training opportunities throughout the year.
These six states were integrated into India’s domestic cricket scene ahead of the 2018-19 season, marking a significant expansion of the country’s cricketing landscape.
The establishment of the Northeast Zone (NEZ) in 2022 further solidified their presence, with the zone making its debut in prestigious tournaments such as the Duleep Trophy and the Deodhar Trophy.