ACA president Gautam Roy shakes hand with players during the inauguration at Hailakandi on Tuesday. Telegraph picture

Hailakandi, Dec. 16: Assam Cricket Association (ACA) president Gautam Roy formally inaugurated the Santosh Kumar Roy Cricket Academy at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Stadium here today, marking the 94th birth anniversary of late Santosh Kumar Roy, the former president of the District Sports Association (DSA) of Hailakandi.

Roy also inaugurated the first division cricket league of Hailakandi DSA in the stadium. In the opening tie today, Royal Association defeated Lalpani Seva Sangha.

Winning the toss, Royal decided to bat first and scored 151 runs losing seven wickets in the stipulated 30 overs. In reply, Lalpani succumbed to a paltry 77 in 24 overs.

The chairman of the newly-inaugurated academy and Algapur MLA, Rahul Roy, said the academy would train and coach the budding players in three age groups. Initially, each group will have 25 players. He said the DSA, Hailakandi would run this academy.

The legislator said the ACA president, Gautam Roy, had extended support to the academy and a sophisticated bowling machine would be bought in for the coaching of youngsters.

“Hailakandi has the necessary infrastructure for sports and it should be utilised fully,” Rahul Roy added.