Gangtok: The cricketing landscape of Northeast India is set to witness a thrilling contest as the 2nd NECDC Senior Women’s Inter-State Tournament prepares to commence at the scenic Sikkim Cricket Ground in Mining, Rangpo, starting April 7th.
The event will bring together the most talented women cricketers from six states in the region: Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and the host, Sikkim.
Organized by the North East Cricket Development Council (NECDC), the tournament will unfold in a competitive league-cum-knockout format. The participating teams have been strategically divided into two groups to ensure a balanced and engaging preliminary stage. Group A will feature the determined squads from Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya, while Group B will see Sikkim, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh locking horns for a coveted spot in the next round.
The stakes will be high as the top two performing teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for April 10th. Cricket enthusiasts across the region will then eagerly await the grand finale, which is slated to be held on April 12th, promising a captivating culmination to the tournament.
This edition holds special significance as it marks the first occasion that the Sikkim Cricket Association will be hosting this prestigious regional event, underscoring the growing prominence of cricket in the state. The inaugural tournament, held in Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya, concluded in a unique fashion with Sikkim and Nagaland being declared joint champions, adding an extra layer of anticipation for their performance this year.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament, Sikkim Cricket Association President Tika Subba stated, “We are proud to host the 2nd edition of the NECDC Senior Women’s Inter-State Tournament. This tournament not only strengthens the spirit of regional camaraderie but also furthers our collective vision of developing women’s cricket in the North East.”
The action on the field will begin on April 7th with two exciting matches scheduled for the opening day. The first clash will see Nagaland take on Mizoram at 8:30 am, followed by the host team, Sikkim, facing off against Manipur at 12:30 pm. The tournament promises to be a showcase of talent, determination, and the burgeoning strength of women’s cricket in the northeastern states of India.
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