NCA wants to develop cricket in Northeast: Patil

SHILLONG: Offering help to develop cricket in the Northeast, former Indian player and director of National Cricket Academy (NCA), Sandeep Patil, on Tuesday suggested that states in the region should have at least one ground with a tiger turf.
"We from the academy are not entitled to sanction any thing but we can carry forward your requirement to the BCCI," Patil told a press conference.
Patil, leading an NCA delegation, is visiting different states of the region and would submit a report to the BCCI, making recommendations as to how to develop the sport in the region.
Patil, who was a member of the 1983 World Cup winning team further said, "what we are authorised to do is to help you walk up the ladder in the cricketing carrier. As of now there are no activities for boys above 21 years of age here as there are no tournaments for the people of that age group."
After taking a stock of the cricketing infrastructure in Meghalaya on Tuesday, he said, "some good programmes were needed at the grassroots level. The state association has been suggested to acquire more playing fields."
The NCA, he said, was ready to provide all the push needed in terms of coaching, training and other expertise.
"I have suggested to the states in the region, that they try and have a tiger turf - astro-turf where a permanent mat is put on the pitch. It is weather proof. We have had one in Bangalore two years back, and is doing well," he said.
He also suggested at the district level, there should be at least one good playing field with two wickets and space for fielding practice.