ACA keen to bring IPL franchise in Guwahati
Our Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI: Guwahati may get a team in the next edition of IPL. The officials of the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) have made this announcement during a function held at the ACA stadium, Barsapara here today.
Addressing media persons on the sideline of the foundation stone laying ceremony of proposed Club House the secretary of the ACA Devajit Saikia admitted that the association has already taken initiatives to bring an IPL franchise to Guwahati and that too for the next edition of the meet.
"Yes, there is possibility and we are working on it. We have discussed the matter with other State Cricket Associations of the Northeast before approaching BCCI and all of them lent full support to us," said Saikia.
It may be mentioned here that BCCI has planned to make the next edition of IPL a ten-team affair. The final decision in this regard is likely to be taken in the forthcoming AGM of BCCI which is scheduled to be held on December 24. Amedabad is considered as front-runner to bag one of the two new franchises.
Meanwhile, Assam Cricket Association president Romen Dutta today laid the foundation stone of the proposed Club house which would be constructed on the ACA stadium premises. The function was also attended by the secretary of the association Devajit Saikia, along with several officials of ACA and former cricketers including Badal Thakur, one of the most veteran cricketers of the State. The proposed ultra modern club house, which will have various facilities like swimming pool, badminton hall, guest room etc, is expected to be completed within a year.
ACA today also inaugurated the new training facilities for local cricketers under a new scheme "pay and play". The local cricketers can now get training under the academy of the ACA by enrolling their names and paying necessary fees. Saikia said that they had made the arrangement so that at least 100 players of different age groups can get training here on a regular basis.