ACA to host T20 match to celebrate its 60th year

Our Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI, March 29: The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) might get a chance to host a T20 match featuring international players as part of its diamond jubilee celebration. Top officials of the ACA have already contacted the BCCI in this regard and a final picture will be out within the next couple of months.

The diamond jubilee celebration of the ACA will kickoff in April 1 with a day-long programmer at Guwahati. Former Test cricketer Maninder Singh will be the chief guest in the inaugural function. Different affiliated units of the ACA will also organize different functions on that day in their own districts.

It may be mentioned here that the ACA was established on November 30, 1947 with an adhoc committee which continued till March 31, 1948. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India granted affiliation to the ACA on April 1, 1948 and it marked the official beginning of the parent body of State cricket.

Talking to the mediapersons, the secretary of the ACA Bikash Baruah said that a detailed programme has been chalked out to celebrate the diamond jubilee celebration which will continue till November 30. He added that other programmes, except the April 1 programme, and the total budget, will be announced officially after the forthcoming governing body meeting of the ACA which is likely to be held in May.

It has been learnt that apart from the T-20 match, the ACA will organize different functions including quiz programme for school students. The ACA will also announce incentives for former cricketers on April 1.

Commenting on the T20 match, Barua said that they have already held discussions with the officials of the BCCI. With many BCCI officials busy for the IPL in South Africa, the final decision would be taken after the IPL gets over. Barua further said that on April 1, the celebrations will start with mass jogging and this would be followed by a felicitation and cultural function at the Pragjyotish ITA Complex, Machkhowa.

Barua also said that the ACA will have no objection if the BCCI allows Asom cricketers who have joined the ICL, to take part in the diamond jubilee celebration.

Replying to a specific query, Barua said that though it would have been encouraging to see the completion of the proposed stadium of the ACA this year, but this would not be possible as last year the work of the stadium was hampered due to heavy rains. He told that the new stadium would be ready by the end of 2011. THE SENTINEL