VIJAYAWADA: Another state-level T20 league launches with hopes of emulating the success delivered by the Tamil Nadu Premier League and Karnataka Premier League. The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) announced here Friday that it would launch the inaugural Andhra T20 League later this year.
The Andhra T20 League will have six franchise locations namely Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Godavari, Chittoor, Kadapa, and Anantapur.
The ACA plans to make the league an annual affair to ensure its stated twin objectives of focusing on the development of the sport in the state and eventually taking it to all parts of Andhra Pradesh.
“We have been in the forefront of ushering in change across the state of Andhra Pradesh by developing high quality infrastructure over the past few years. Now is the time to enable the top rung players experience the intensity of T20 cricket and the fans across the region, the joy of watching franchise-based cricket matches,” said ACA president GVK Ranga Raju.
“There has been a great deal of interest from a wide range of Andhra business houses, especially with the matches being broadcast live,” he informed.
ACA has already issued a tender for the franchisees ownership bids. The bids are available on the association website www.andhracricketassociation.com. Bids are being sought from individuals, firms, corporates and consortiums.
“Andhra T20 League will afford the second-rung of the state’s players the opportunity to evolve by interacting, playing, and competing with the best cricketers like Hanuma Vihari, Ricky Bhui, KS Bharath, B Ayyappa, KV Sashikanth and Karn Sharma. It will ensure that we have players with the experience of dealing with tough match situations ready to step into the shoes of the senior players,” ACA secretary Ch Arun Kumar said.
“From the spectators’ perspective, the League would be a great source of entertainment. The ACA intends to create an unique in-stadia experience for the fans, a wonderful atmosphere in which fans can watch the contests unfold,” said Raju.
Meanwhile, Carlton Saldanha of TCM (commercial partners of the league) said: With the water tight international cricket calendar TCM is negotiating with potential broadcasters in the best interest of the Andhra T20. Promoting the league, in the districts of Andhra Pradesh to drive interest with all stake holders is paramount. We are confident of delivering a high quality cricket asset for the ACA in the years to come.
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