Abu Metha sees NCA’s vision being realised with Naga cricketers excelling

DIMAPUR — Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland and chairman of IDAN, stated on Saturday that Naga cricketers participating in first-class cricket, trying out for the Indian Premier League (IPL) trail, and representing Nagaland in zonal cricket competitions are clear indications of the Nagaland Cricket Association’s (NCA) vision being realised.

Speaking as the guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the 1st Seniors Master League 2023-2024 at Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Sovima, Chümoukedima, Metha, who is also the associate vice-president of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), mentioned that NCA receives an annual grant of INR 17.5 crore.

According to him, the grant from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is being consistently and transparently used for the game’s development and the promotion of young cricketers.

Suggesting that senior players and veterans continue to remain engaged in the game of cricket, he said that such engagement would ensure that they contribute towards the development of the game.

Metha, on the occasion, expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, saying that it was under his vision, leadership, and mandate that NCA reached so far. He mentioned that in earlier years, running the association was not easy; however, progress has been made through significant sacrifices and contributions from past members.

He revealed that the cricket association allocates an annual budget of INR 2.5 to INR 3 crore to Naga cricketers as match fees and added that each cricketer receives INR 1.60 lakh for first-class matches, which is deposited directly into their bank accounts.

Metha also said that a new facility funded by the BCCI will be built behind the stadium very soon, which will include an indoor cricket facility, a state-of-the-art swimming pool, a state-of-the-art gym, and five indoor cricket pitches so that cricketers can train all year.

Remarking that umpires, statisticians, scorers, trainers, and physiotherapists receive assignments throughout the year, enabling them to pursue gainful careers, he said that the entire cricket ecosystem is providing benefits to Nagas.

He informed that the Indian government estimates that the sports industry in India will be worth USD 200 billion in the next decade and that India is emerging as a sports powerhouse and leaving its mark on the global stage.

He pledged that they would make every possible effort to ensure that the youth of Nagaland are not only part of but also beneficiaries of this thriving sports industry.

In the inaugural Seniors Master League 2023-2024, six teams, two each from Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Kohima, will compete in 31 matches for the championship title in a T20 format.

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