DIMAPUR, MAY 30 : In what could be read as a fresh deviation from the old guard’s perception of the game of cricket in Nagaland, the new hierarchy of the BCCI appears to be quite bullish in its attempt to inject optimism among aspiring cricketers, administrators and cricket-lovers alike here.
And it has taken the new BCCI dispensation less than three weeks to accomplish what their predecessors could never do. Or, simply put, never cared to do. The arrival of cricket royalty began in mid-May. First it was the visit of Cheteshwar Pujara – perhaps the most technically-accomplished batsman in the Indian batting line-up today – to the BCCI-sponsored under-16 coaching camp at Sovima.
It was almost immediately followed by a visit from the former India wicket-keeper and one-time chief selector, Kiran More. And now it has been confirmed the president of BCCI, Anurag Thakur would arrive Dimapur on Tuesday.
This was confirmed to Eastern Mirror by an official from the Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA) today. Thakur, the NCA official informed, would be accompanied by Abhishek Dalmiya, the son of former BCCI chief (late) Jagmohan Dalmiya, and three other BCCI officials.
Thakur’s visit to Nagaland, in so many ways, would represent the arrival of hope for development of cricket in the state. The fact that Thakur himself hails from Himachal Pradesh–a “lesser state” in the Indian cricket landscape, much like Nagaland and the entire NE region–would suggest that he has a good grasp of the issues already.
He is famous for building one of the world’s most picturesque cricket stadiums at Dharamsala after inheriting only seven chairs, one iron cupboard and a typewriter when he took reins of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) at the young age of 25. Cricket administrators in Nagaland could do well to obtain such blueprint(s) from the man himself.
The NCA, on Monday evening issued a press release informing of Thakur’s visit. It stated that the NCA would organize a felicitation program at 2 pm, Niathu Resort, Chumukedima on Tuesday. “All officials of the Nagaland Cricket Association are also requested to attend the felicitation programme positively,” it informed.
