SCA Against Inclusion of Non-State Players in State Team

To protect the local interest, Sikkim Cricket Association (SCA) has decided against inclusion of Non-State players in State team for National games.

The State cricket body has proposed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to scrap the BCCI rule which allows three outstation players to play in all the State teams.

The SCA’s stand has been positively received by the BCCI. In a reply to SCA, BCCI official Ratnakar Shetty hailed the SCA’s stand and stressed that all Northeast States should harness the ability of local talents rather than depending on borrowed talents. He also assured that BCCI shall help all the States including Sikkim to develop cricketing facilities at the grass root level.

BCCI has already committed to develop a world standard cricket ground at Mining, Rangpo with seven pitches and an indoor stadium. Sikkim Cricket Association has been pursuing the matter with the State for renewal of the lease of the ground which the States sports department has abruptly terminated before the expiry of the agreement.

To protect the local interest and build up local talents, no outside players has been allowed till date which may have been the reason for some of the poor performance of the team, SCA President Lobzang G. Tenzing said.

He also said that the SCA is aware of some outside brokers operating in Sikkim and has warned of strict action if anyone negotiates with such people. “The anti-corruption unit of BCCI is in constant touch with me and I am well informed about such people operating country-wide,” Tenzing said.