Bhubaneswar, March 15: The students of Utkal University are extremely excited. The annual cricket extravaganza of the university, the Utkal Premiere League begins on Monday. Around 32 teams from the various departments of the university will be battling it out for the trophy. 

The 12-over matches will be played in the university stadium and preparations are on in full swing. “The stadium is being cleaned and we have also put up banners of all the participating teams. The ground has been mowed as well. All the students of the university has come together to ensure that everything is conducted properly,” said Naresh Kumar Behera, the secretary of the Students’ Athletic Association.

The students have been busy preparing for the matches since the last few weeks. “Our mid-semester exams were going on, but we made sure that we took our time for cricket. We want to emerge winners and make our department proud,” said Subrat Behera, a student of the public administration department.

With so many teams in the league, the students are utilising the various nook and corners of the university for cricketing purposes, including the basketball court and the old convocation ground. 
The preliminary rounds will continue till March 20. It would be followed by the knockout stage where the quarter and semi-finals will take place. 

Students and faculty members of the university are also enthusiastic about cheering for their teams. "All the students from our department will be there to encourage our team. We have also prepared placards that will have goodwill messages,” said Pritam Panda, a student. Youngsters from other colleges of the city are also expected to join. 

In another development, two players from the university have been selected to represent the East Zone at the Inter-Zonal University tournament that will be held in Mumbai. The players are wicketkeeper Sheikh Salam and left-hand spinner Dinesh Rout.

 The students’ union of the university had organised a two-day athletics meet on March 10 and 11. Over 200 students took part in the meet that comprised events such as javelin throw, 100 and 200 metres sprint, high jump and shot put among others. 

This apart, the university is now agog with the annual functions of the various departments that are being held on a daily basis. From dance recitals to musical performances, the students showcased their mettle at the annual function of the MCA department that was conducted today. 

“This time of the year is  fun-filled for the students. There is something going on,” said Pritam Panda, a student of the university.