Plus Circle Club, a Bangaluru-based organisation, on Thursday stated that it has taken the initiative to introduce the +91 National Open Cricket Tournament, 2021 to give an opportunity to cricket buffs to ply their trade in the game of cricket.
The tournament is scheduled to start from September 13 onwards with a prize money of Rs 1.5 crore in the championship. Exact dates of the matches will be provided once the registration of teams from the states is completed.
Invitation to Northeastern teams from Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim has already been initiated by the Zonal Sports Committee. Individual player willing to participate will fork out Rs 600 plus GST as registration fees while for teams it is Rs 6325 plus GST.
All participants should be above 12 years of age but not exceeding the age limit of 55 years. The tournament will be held in four age groups – under 15 years, under 19 years, above 19 years and above 30 years – the knockout tournament is scheduled to be held in state, zonal and national level from the month of September 2021, provided the pandemic protocols permit.
The final of the tournament is slated for December 31. The matches of the tournament, recognised by Union Sports Ministry as part of its Fit India Movement, will be held in 107 cities across India and will be live streamed.
Plus Circle Club International Sports Committee deputy governor Mr P Gupta said, Cricket in India has been a religion ever since India lifted the World Cup for the first time in 1983 and has since been followed passionately by millions. Almost every Indian youngster, youth or even the middle aged loves to be called a cricketer. But, only a few get the dream opportunity to shine in the game.
He further said, "The idea is to provide an opportunity to all those millions of cricket enthusiasts who train and practice every day but hardly get a chance to participate in any major tournament. At the same time, the tournament will serve a noble purpose, that of giving succor to millions of orphans and old age homeless whom Plus Circle Club provide food, clothes and shelter. Plus Circle Club does not subscribe to the idea of donation or charity, but in self-sustenance. The proceeds from the tournament will go directly to the noble cause of the old age homes and orphanages".
There will be prize money for winners and runners-up in state level, zonal level and national level apart from individual cash prizes. The men-of-the-tournaments in all the four age groups will be rewarded Rs 1 lakh cash prize each.
Registration can be done at emails: www.pluscircleclub.org/+91cricket/register.php.
Registration from Assam and other Northeastern India states can also contact Imtiaz Ahmed, Secretary, Assam State Sports Committee at +919435140126, +919101408009.
