Imphal: The Manipur Cricket Association will submit a detailed project report to the BCCI on infrastructure development and pitch preparations on different grounds in the wake of inclusion of Manipur in Ranji Trophy fixture in the plate group from the 2018-19 season.
Rajib Datta, a member of the BCCI's New Area Development Programme task force, reached here on Monday on a two-day visit to see overall preparations of the Manipur Cricket Association (MCA) for hosting major tournaments of the BCCI, including Ranji matches, for this season. He also assessed infrastructure development and other facilities, including technical know-how of the MCA officials.
Apart from a close scrutiny of the Luwangpokpa cricket stadium, he also visited the cricket grounds at Khuman Lampak, Awang Potshangbam, Langthabal Hiyangt-hang besides Oriental College and Model Higher Secondary School ground to find out whether these grounds can be developed as practice pitches.
Datta along with MCA president Rk. Imo Singh addressed a news conference at the Luwangpokpa cricket stadium on Tuesday where Datta praised the Luwangpokpa ground as a "good pitch" for hosting big matches, including Ranji matches, in the future.
Datta said: "The pitches at Luwangpokpa and Dimapur are of good standard and infrastructure development is quite satisfactory. I have no doubt that they can host Ranji matches in the future."
Though the MCA is very eager to host one Ranji match from this season itself, it will make a formal request with the BCCI at the earliest.
Singh said: "We are happy as our long-cherished dream of featuring in BCCI domestic circuit 2018-19, including Ranji matches, has become a reality. Ranji Trophy will start from November 1. We have finally featured in the plate group along with eight other states."
"We do not have any apprehension about the future of our young players now. With the door finally opening for them, they now will have an opportunity to become professional players. We will send a detailed project report regarding infrastructure development to the BCCI very soon."
BCCI curator Ashish Bhowmick will be visit the state on August 4.
