STCL launches nationwide cricket talent hunt, to feature eight franchise teams

New Delhi: The Salute Tiranga Cricket League (STCL) was officially launched in New Delhi on Monday with a nationwide Open Trials campaign aimed at identifying and nurturing young cricketing talent from across the country.

STCL Sports & Entertainment Private Limited unveiled the league’s website and announced a multi-phase talent search programme at a press conference held at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi. Former India cricketer and former BCCI chief selector Chetan Sharma, the league commissioner, was the chief guest at the event.

Sharma said the league would provide an important platform for aspiring cricketers and revealed that several former Indian cricketers would be associated with the initiative to guide and motivate emerging players.

“Cricket has given us a lot; now it is time to give something back to the youth of our country,” Sharma said.

Former India Test cricketer Ashok Malhotra said the league had the potential to set an example and expressed confidence that it would open up promising opportunities for players participating in the competition.

STCL chairman Rajesh Jha said the league’s primary objective was to provide talented youngsters with a pathway to build careers in cricket. Players selected through the Open Trials will receive support covering travel, food, accommodation and uniforms. They will also undergo specialised training and receive guidance from experienced cricket experts, including mentorship from Sharma.

“Our goal is to ensure that talent gets an opportunity and to provide emerging players from every corner of the country with a platform to reach the national level,” Jha said.

STCL vice-chairman Ravi Chikara said the league could prove to be a milestone in Indian cricket, with the involvement of former international cricketers expected to inspire young players.

STCL director Mukesh Kumar Singh said the initiative was designed to address the concerns of youngsters and parents who see cricket as a potential career but often lack access to structured opportunities and quality coaching.

The STCL will feature eight franchise teams, with all league matches scheduled to be played at the Miraj Cricket Stadium in Nathdwara, Udaipur, Rajasthan.

The nationwide Open Trials will be conducted in three phases, with registrations being offered free of cost. The first phase will cover Lucknow, Patna and Kolkata, followed by Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru in the second phase. The third phase will take the trials to Chandigarh, Jaipur and Delhi.

The organisers also outlined the league's concept, competition format, franchise model and Open Trial programme at the launch.

STCL Sports & Entertainment Private Limited has appealed to print, electronic, digital and sports media, as well as social media platforms, to support the initiative and help take the talent-identification campaign to aspiring cricketers across the country.

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Tags : Cricket, Chetan Sharma, Ashok Malhotra, Tiranga, Salute, Le Meridien