Aizawl, March 15: The Cricket Association of Mizoram (CAM) has appreciated the move of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) to turn to the state in search of fast bowlers. The association feels this indicates that Mizo youths have a huge potential in what can be clearly dubbed as ?India?s favourite sport? ? cricket.

?The Cricket Association of Bengal is optimistic that good quickies could be moulded out of Mizo youths. The CAB is keen to promote cricket in Mizoram,? said CAM president Lalrochhuanga.

?Owing to its initiatives, the Kitchen Appliance India Limited, a subsidiary of Videocon, has agreed to sponsor the CAM for three years with Rs 15 lakh, of which Rs 2.5 lakh has already been received,? he added.

Thanks to the efforts of former sports minister Rualchhina, the Cricket Association of Mizoram, founded in 1992 by a few Mizo officers and their non-Mizo colleagues in the state, has been maintaining a good relationship with the CAB.

Though not as popular as football, cricket has been gradually gaining popularity in the hill state for the past decade.

CAB president Jagmohan Dalmiya has taken the initiative for Mizo youths to be coached at the Videocon?s 22 yards cricket academy, where former Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly will coach the youngsters.

The cricket body in Calcutta has also invited the CAM to participate in the tournament and is willing to meet the expenses.

An international standard stadium is currently being constructed on the western outskirts of the state capital.

The ground work and levelling of the filed is almost complete.

The stadium will be named Suaka Memorial Cricket Stadium.

Mizoram is the second state from the Northeast, after Manipur, which has produced footballers for leading clubs across the country.