Imphal, June 04: A Aza Minister/YAS, Manipur assisted by P Vaiphei IAS, Director/YAS and Dr RK Nimai Singh, IAS, Spl, Secy/YAS, Govt of Manipur attended the meeting convened by Jagmohan Dalmiya, president, BCCT at Taj Bengal, Kolkata on 2nd June 2003 wherein BCCI was requested for alt necessary assistance to promote cricket in the state considering the talents, commitments and discipline of our sports persons who have done the country proud in various games and sports.

BCCI has agreed to assist Manipur in pitch preparation in exclusively conduct coaching for both players and coaches, hold Umpire clinics and fitness training and sent its officials to Manipur to promote the game and improve our playing standard as well as playing conditions.

On the specific request of our delegate, BCCI has agreed to even send a star-studded cricket team to play exhibition matches after the required infrastructures are completed.

An important outcome of the meeting is the BCCI has decided to set up a committee for its New Areas Development Programme (NADP) comprising of Prof RS Shetty, Shri MP Pandove, Shri Niranjan Shah and Shri Chitrak Mitra (all officials of BCCI) while Shri Jyoti Bajpai, Jt Secy/BCCI will be the convenor of the said committee.

BCCI will initiate steps for holding a regional cricket tournament of the invited states - Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islans, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Havelli, Daman & Diu, Lakshwadeep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Pondicherry.

This committee will work out all details including venue, date etc.

BCCI will be conducting 2 age group tournaments for Under 15 and under 19 levels for these states/UTs.

BCCI also invited Indian Airlines to sponsor the players of the above state/UTs for travel under its NADP coaching and matches.

BCCI's coaching programme will cover all age groups and will be focus on Test mated as per it policy recently announced as well as on unearthing potentials for spinners and fast bowlers.

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