Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 19 2009:
In an endeavour to popularise the game of cricket and to strengthen the state level associations to take cricket forward towards its speedy development, the Uripok Cricket Club (UCC) is organising the 1st Heritage Cup, 2009, the biggest T20 State level cricket tournament in the entire North-East, from December 13 to December 27 at Khuman Lampak Cricket ground here.
The first ever T20 state level cricket tournament in the state, T20 Heritage Cup, 2009 will be organised under the aegis of the Manipur Cricket Association (MCA).
It is a joint venture of the UCC, MCA and Heritage Convent, Imphal.
Addressing press men last night at the Heritage Convent School located at Uripok Bachaspati Leikai, Chairman of the Heritage Cup Organising Committee, Dr Ningthoukhongjam Nando observed that the state is a power house of sportspersons.
He said, though sportspersons of the state fetched countless numbers of medals in various International and National levels sporting events, the state is far lagging behind in cricket.
Dr Nando also takes pain in not seeing any Manipuri face in National and International cricket pitches.
He said the state cricketers have in them the talents like their counterparts in other games like football who battered well and established name and fame for themselves and the state.
"Are Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, etc.
taller and more talented.than any Manipuri player?" Dr N Nando asked.
He observed that cricketers from the state are still behind the limelight only due to 'lack of promotion' of the game.
"Let them (State cricketers) hogged the limelight.
Let them have the chance to expose their talents and skills.
Let their skills and ability be spotted by the cricket authorities of India and various agencies of the game," Dr Nando said.
Noting the heritage the state has that encompasses all kinds of sports which had become classic by any standard, Dr Nando said the podium to expose the talents of the state cricketers should be arranged.
Towards the fulfillment of its cherished dream of promoting cricket in the state, the organisers of the first ever T20 Heritage Cup in the state have announced Rs 50,000 as the prize money for the winning team of the Heritage Cup.
The cash award for the runner up team is Rs 25,000 while man of the series will be awarded prize money of Rs 10,000.These apart, Rs 1000 will be awarded to the man of every match.
The prize money and trophies of the cups are to be sponsored by the Heritage Convent, Imphal.