Chandigarh: The Bhagwant Mann government has approved the launch of the Punjab Cricket League (PCL). Organized in collaboration with the BCCI and the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), this league, modeled after the IPL, aims to identify young talent and nurture them on a professional path by forming teams at the district and state levels. Additionally, the PCL aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem of district and state-level sports leagues to help the state’s youth stay away from drugs and navigate discipline and new opportunities for national representation.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “A meeting was held in Chandigarh with senior officials of the Sports and Youth Services Department to discuss various issues related to promoting sports in the state. All officials were directed to contribute to the maximum possible efforts to encourage youth to participate in sports with the aim of building a healthy society.”
The Punjab government, in collaboration with the Punjab Cricket Association and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), will organize the Punjab Cricket League, aimed at nurturing young talent from across the state. Such initiatives have played a significant role in world cricket. Cricketers like Imran Khan and Arjuna Ranatunga have contributed many famous players to world cricket through such efforts, and this league will greatly help in promoting Punjab as a nursery of cricket talent. – Bhagwant Mann, Chief Minister, Punjab
Elaborating on the structure of the proposed league, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This league will be similar to the Indian Premier League, and teams will be formed for all districts and geographical regions such as Majha, Doaba, and Malwa. This league will help create a pool of talented cricketers for national and international cricket tournaments.”
CM Mann said that district-level and state-level league tournaments should also be organized for sports such as volleyball, football, hockey, basketball, kho-kho, and kabaddi. The Punjab government is working on a major campaign to develop well-trained and talented athletes. Our goal is to ensure that more Punjabi athletes represent India in international sports competitions and contribute to the state’s recognition.
