The Bhagalpur city hosted Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) Inter Zonal T 20 cricket tournament 2020-21 from 18-22 Dec, 2022 at Sandy’s Compound which once again highlighted the need for improved infrastructure. The matches were, however, conducted in very competitive manner but in a friendly environment as even the captain of the winning and runner team (Magadh and Champaran team) expressed satisfaction about all arrangement made by Bhagalpur District Cricket Association led by a team of Dr Anand Mishra (District Secretary). Bhagalpur had been allotted to arrange Zonal matches of Angika , Shahabad, Mithila and Seemanchal (Group A) along with the semifinal and final matches of Group A and Group (B). The match had all the fanfare at Sandy’s Compound and it culminated in winning of the final match by Magadh Team (comprises of Patna, Gaya, Jehanabad , Gaya zone) which trounced Champaran team with good margin.
The matches were given high importance by BCCI in finding the talent and therefore a three-member selection team comprising of Chairman Aamir Hasmi , Sanjay Ranjan and Col. Santosh Tripathi were also camping in Bhagalpur. While speaking to Dr. Ananad Mishra (Secretary BDCA) he expressed the opinion that Bhagalpur badly needs a cricket stadium as great talent lies in this district. His vision is to hold Vijay Hazare trophy and One Day International matches in this stadium. In his brief speech during presentation of trophies to both winning and runner up team, he urged the visiting chief guest Sh . Ajit Sharma (MLA Bhagalpur and also leader Congress Vidhan Sabha at Bihar Assembly) to use his good offices to set up a cricket stadium. The congress leader spoke in affirmation and stated that the development of Bhagalpur is always a priority for him and this issue will be fervently looked by him, though he was slightly saddened that Angika team (Bhagalpur team) lost to Magadh team on Dec 21,2022 (semifinal matches). Magadh team will now contest for Mustaq Ali trophy with other team, to be held probably at Patna in new Year (2021).
Dr Anand Mishra also spoke about the need for enhancing funding by BCCI for district committees and also remembered that a Ranji league matches were held in Bhagalpur in way back 1988. We as citizen of Bhagalpur feel that BCCI should increase the funding of district committee as well so that more local /state level matches could be held in future.
Disclaimer – The views expressed above are largely of the writer.