SICA grants ₹ 25,000 to A Division Clubs To Help Them Grow And Enhance Sustainability

Sikkim Cricket Association on Sunday announced financial grants to cricket clubs to help them grow and enhance sustainability. The initiative will see eight A Division clubs receive ₹ 25,000 each starting this season.

“This is for the first time that cricket clubs are getting grants from SICA. The initiative has been taken to recognise the contribution that cricket clubs make to the growth of cricket in Sikkim,” said SICA.

The decision was taken in the SICA’s apex council meeting on Sunday.

The financial assistance given by the SICA will help clubs with expenses incurred by them during the tournament. While the winners and runner-ups receive cash prizes, the other six teams in A Division do not receive participation fees. 

From next season, the financial grant will be restricted to the registered clubs only.

SICA president Tika Subba said, “The initiative is a fantastic opportunity and one which will encourage club culture in Sikkim.” The money may not be enough but will at least assist in keeping them afloat for the season. 

The apex council meeting, among others, also decided to limit the number of guest players to two in a team. As the A Division tournament caters to the Sikkim players, the SICA has kept a limit on the number of professional players from outside the State that each team can field.

Likewise, each team are permitted to have three national cricketers from the State in the squad or a maximum of five if they do not include two guest players in their squad.

“It is a challenge for some of the teams to find good players to play for the sides and taking this into consideration, the SICA decided to allow a club to engage only three senior players or five if they do not want service of guests players.” This is expected to ensure that the teams have enough quality to remain competitive in the tournament.

SICA secretary Rinzing Namgyal Bhutia said, “As our players and clubs, they look up to us for support and we are glad to make these decisions for a start. We will be doing everything possible that will benefit cricket clubs and players.”

The SICA has given the clubs a week’s window to register their players. 

The men’s A Division tournament is likely to start by the first week of March.