Good cricketers can be produced from Nagaland - Sharad Pawar

Kohima, Mar 28 (UNI) BCCI President Sharad Pawar has assured full assistance for the improvement of cricket in the state to tap the vast potential of Naga youth.

Laying the foundation stone of the Nagaland cricket stadium at Sovima village near Dimapur yesterday, Mr Pawar said ''There is no dearth of talent among the Naga boys and girls and if proper training is given, good players can be produced to represent the country''.

Asserting that India needs fast bowlers and good fielders, Mr Pawar said the North Eastern region of the country had the potential to produce such cricketers.

Mr Pawar was confident that Nagaland will soon become an important cricket playing state of the country.

He promised that the BCCI would give full support to set up an international level cricket ground in the state and would send coaches to select young players for training.

In his welcome address, Mr Rio said that cricket was becoming an important sport in the state. ''There is talent and potential for cricket in the state, but due to lack of infrastructure, players have not been able to reach the highest level of the game,'' Mr Rio said.

Mr Rio requested the BCCI Chief to grant full fledged association to Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA) so that Nagaland could also participate in the national level.

UNI AS SP PM BS1419