Andhra Cricket Association to launch 'Andhra Premier League'

Andhra Cricket Association is all set to launch an Indian Premier League (IPL) style competition called the Andhra Premier League (ACL). ACA is looking to host the event within a window of 15 to 20 days and doesn’t want it to clash with other cricket calendars in the country.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already shown a green signal for these kinds of leagues as it helps to take the game to the rural areas and to get the most out of them. States like Tamil Nadu had already started these sort of tournament and the success story of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) is a reason behind the initiative from Andhra Pradesh.

“Everything is in a fluid stage but we gave a serious thought as it will help the game reach rural areas,” a senior member of the ACA was quoted by the Hindu.

The association also stated that it is planning to host matches at different grounds in rural areas of 13 districts of the state so that it would help to bring in more people to the matches.

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“We have playfields at Perecherla (Guntur Dt.), Kadapa, Vizianagaram, Venkatagiri (Nellore Dt.), Mulapadu (Krishna Dt.) and Ongole. We can use local companies, educational institutions, real estate outfits and shopping malls to generate sponsorship,” said a member.

He also said the association is also keen on getting some of the national players to feature in the league as it takes the start of the new league to a different level. “There are many international cricketers in the country and we can rope some of them. To begin with, we may have six franchises,” the member added.

The ACA is also thinking of having some musicians and dancers to entertain the crowd. “We are also planning to rope in the local cultural troupes, musicians, and dancers to add the glamor quotient and entertainment,” he concluded.

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