Imphal: Manipur Cricket Association president Rk. Imo Singh said during a function celebrating its 43rd Foundation Day at Chingmeirong on Sunday that state cricketers will have to put up their best performance as the association had now become a full-fledged member of the BCCI.

Cricket Association of Bengal joint secretary, Avishek Dalmiya, along with Naba Bhattacharjee, secretary of the Meghalaya Cricket Association, Sikkim Cricket Association president Lobzang G. Tenzing and Bedang Jamir of Nagaland Cricket Association also attended the function.

Imo Singh said, "We have been fighting for granting for full-fledged membership of the BCCI for almost two decades. Now it is up to the cricketers to show the country what we are capable of in the pitch. Though we know that we cannot gain instant success in BCCI matches, we feel that with time cricketers from the Northeast will surely represent India."

"We have made a beginning and must help and push each other towards a successful journey ahead as the next five years will be an important phase for all of us," said the MCA president who is also a Congress legislator from Sagolband AC.

He also lauded the efforts of the state government which had been supportive toward the endeavour of the Manipur Cricket Association.

Dalmiya said the observation of the MCA Foundation Day bears special significance.

He also lauded the effort of the association's past and present officials as the road to full-fledged membership did not happen overnight.