BCCI expresses concern over delayed utilisation certificates

"Except for Meghalaya, individual states in the north east, who are the associate members of the BCCI, have not sent us their accounts and project reports," BCCI Vice President, Chitrak Mitra told PTI on the sidelines of the official inauguration of the Shillong Cricket Academy.

Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are currently associate members. The BCCI had given Rs 50 lakh assistance for promotion of the game in these states.

In the north east, Assam and Tripura are the only permanent members of the BCCI.

Inaugurating the Academy here, Mitra said, Meghalaya has been awarded the second installment of another Rs 50 lakhs for their prompt submission of utilisation certificates to the BCCI.

He said these states should submit their accounts and project report "in time" if they are to avail the second installment of another Rs 50 lakh.

Lauding the Meghalaya Cricket Association, the BCCI Vice President said the association was the only one which was awarded Rs One crore in all so far.

Meghalaya was the runners up in the U-19 and U-22 championship for the associate members held recently. However, the U-16 did not fare well.

"With this (Cricket academy), a new project of catching them young," Mitra said the U-16 will also fare well in the BCCI Associate members championship within a couple of years.

The Academy which was long over due has more than 100 children in the age group of 9-12 years in its first batch.

Headed by Gideon Kharkongor as the academy director, six coaches impart knowledge in basic cricketing skills, nutrition, game psychology besides, other key ingredients to the students.

The budding cricketers also avail of all facilities necessary for the game, like training kits, gymnasium, bowling machine and are reviewed using video analysis, Kharkongor said.

Meanwhile, the Meghalaya government has earmarked 25 acres for the development of cricket in the state at the new township at Mawdiangdiang.