Andaman Premier League III Inaugurated; ₹1 Crore Announced for Cricket Infrastructure
Sri Vijaya Puram, 28 April 2025 — The Andaman Premier League III (APL III), a much-anticipated T20 Cricket League cum Knockout Tournament, was inaugurated on Saturday evening at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Stadium. The event was ceremoniously opened by Hon’ble Member of Parliament Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray at 7:45 PM, marking a festive start to the cricketing spectacle in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The grand inauguration was attended by senior officials from the Andaman and Nicobar Cricket Association (ANCA), team owners, and players representing the ten participating teams. The stadium buzzed with excitement as Mr. Ray announced a ₹1 crore allocation for the development of cricket infrastructure in the Islands. This declaration received loud applause from the audience and has been widely appreciated by the local cricketing community.
In his address, the MP encouraged players to play with sportsmanship and integrity. He also lauded ANCA’s initiative in appointing qualified and registered umpires from Kolkata, ensuring that the tournament maintains a high standard of officiating and fairness.
ANCA President Mr. Md. Jadwet, in his speech, extended his heartfelt thanks to the MP for the generous announcement. He also urged Mr. Ray to advocate for the creation of a dedicated cricket ground in South Andaman, which would serve as a cornerstone for further nurturing cricket in the region.
Prominent attendees included Mr. Girish Arora (Vice President, ANCA), Mr. Nalin Gulecha (General Secretary), Md. Aslam (Organising Secretary), and other key members of the association. Their presence underscored the significance of the tournament for the Islands’ sporting aspirations.
The Andaman Premier League III is set to bring thrilling cricket action while acting as a powerful platform for local talent to shine. With strong institutional backing and infrastructural support, the future of cricket in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands looks promising.
