The Town Club complex, set to get a new look as part of its centenary celebrations. Picture by UB Photos

Nov. 11: As part of its centenary bash next year, the Gauhati Town Club (GTC) is slated to host the Japanese national cricket team and will reciprocate by sending its own team to Japan. The other port of call will be Taiwan. These steps are aimed at promoting the game in these two countries and fostering sports ties.

GTC president Jagannath Sarma said the club was very keen on hosting the team as it would add a ?global touch? to the celebrations apart from imparting an ?impetus? to the occasion. GTC general secretary Maharshi Bora echoed his stand. The yearlong celebrations of one of the oldest clubs of the Northeast get under way in April. A club delegation will move Dispur in a couple of days to expedite upgradation of its clubhouse at Judges Field.

The club has requested Sonia Gandhi to inaugurate the celebrations. However, the fixtures and itinerary are yet to be finalised. There would be at least one event every month, ranging from debating and painting to sports events and cultural nites, Bora said.

The upgradation would cost nearly Rs 40 lakh. As Bora pointed out, ?It is a privilege to host the national team of any country. Moreover, this visit could lead to many other positive developments for the club and the city. The Japan Cricket Association (JCA) had expressed its eagerness to visit the city next April to Devajit Saikia, captain of our club team that toured Hong Kong for a three-day six-a-side meet that ended on October 31. It was our first overseas tour.?

The GTC lost in the final to Pakistan Association in the 27-team tourney. On its way to the final, it beat Japan Juggernauts, Macau Scrubbers, Australian Association Wannabes and was given a walkover by Pelicans from New Delhi, the other team from India.

The GTC team included Manojit Bhuyan, Satyen Sarma, Satyadev Goswami, R. Choudhury, Atanu Baruah, Apurba Kumar Sharma, H.K. Pathak and A. Nath.

Former Ranji player Saikia said the general manager of the development division of the JCA, Robb McKenna, had broached the topic while visiting Guwahati with members of the national team on an exposure tour.

?He invited us to Japan in April while Taiwan?s Colombo Cricket Club invited us in February to help promote the game in their countries. The JCA felt it made sense to visit India as cricket is a way of life here,? Saikia said. McKenna is an Englishman who has settled in Japan, he explained.

The GTC, Saikia said, would start liaisoning with the JCA from January once it becomes sure of the availability of fields and players. It plans to host three to five 35 to 40 overs-a-side game with its team, which would have several Ranji members.

?There is a dearth of fields and the cricket season will also be on. And the tour will see more than cricket. We will try to showcase the city and its state vis-?-vis tourism and business potential. We will fix the dates after tying up all loose ends to avoid last-minute problems. We cannot be caught on the wrong foot,? Saikia said.