Andhra Cricket Association planning to launch an IPL styled competition

The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) is planning to launch an Indian Premier League (IPL) styled competition which will be called the Andhra Premier League. The cricketing body has thought of the step following the success of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) which was organised by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already nodded in favour of affiliated State Associations having such leagues which are based on the IPL and states like Tamil Nadu have already started the tournament which is helping in taking the game to the rural masses. Reportedly the ACA officials have already had a word or two with event managers and the dream might turn into a reality very soon.

“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 said it is planning to use fields in 13 districts of the state, mostly in the rural areas, so that it would help in bring in more people to the matches.

“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.

The association is also keen on having a few national players which would surely give more mileage to the league. “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 member also stated there will be musicians and dancers to entertain the crowd and that they are planning to have make-shift floodlights for the games. “We are also planning to rope in the local cultural troupes, musicians and dancers to add the glamour quotient and entertainment,”

The ACA is looking to have the event within a window of 15 to 20 days and wants to ensure it does not clash with the other cricket calendars in the country.