24 states for National U-19, Twenty20

Chandigarh, Oct 25 (UNI) The inaugural Twenty20 National Cricket Tournament for Under-19 will be held from November 12 to 19.

Announcing this here today, Chandigarh Twenty20 Cricket Association (CTCA) president I D Kamboj said that the matches would be conducted under the patronage of the Indian Twenty20 Cricket Federation (ITCF).

Mr Kamboj, who is also senior vice-president of the ITCF, said that matches would be played in Chandigarh and Panchkula. The semi-finals and final are likely to be telecast live.

The ITCF and CTCA are holding negotiations with electronic channels which have expressed their interest in latest version of the slam bang game.

Mr Kamboj said players from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Goa, Haryana, Hyderabad, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai, Punjab, Rajasthan, Saurasthra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Baroda, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Dadar Nagar Haveli and Vidharbha would be seen in action in the latest format of the shorter version of the game.

Qualified technical officials will be deputed to supervise the matches and maintain scorecards.

An organising committee has been formed for the smooth conduct the National Tournament. During the tournament, the ITCF will select 30 probables who will attend a coaching camp here to prepare the young Indian team for the forthcoming international assignments.

Mr Kamboj said that the ITCF would soon allot the Under-15 and Under-22 Nationals. A number of states have expressed their desire to conduct these tournaments, he added.

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