THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
A total of 414 matches played across the 2015-16 cricket season which concluded on April 15, the Goa Cricket Association said in a press conference on Monday. The GCA highlighted the cricketing activities of the recently concluded season during the presser.
This was the first time when school matches played were of 40 overs. The school tournaments organized by GCA during the domestic season 2015-16 were - U-16 Late Dilip Sardessai Trophy School Tournament (Boys), U-14 President’s Cup School Tournament (Boys), U-16 President’s Cup (Girls), A Division, B Division, C Division, Premier League.
GCA also successfully conducted Goa Premier League, a three-day format tournament which is considered as the most elite local domestic tournament. A/B/C division tournaments were also completed on schedule.
Although two of the major grounds - BITS Pilani and Panjim Gymkhana were unavailable this season, the managing committee organised the matches at the available venues to complete the cricketing calendar. Each managing committee member was given a responsibility to carry out cricket activities in their respective area at their local venues.
GCA also hosted a few BCCI tournaments, ranging from Ranji trophy, U-19, U-23 and women’s matches. The BCCI tournaments held in the state were: Ranji Trophy (4 matches), U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy 4 dayer (2 matches), U-23 Col. C K Nayudu Trophy 4 dayer (1 match), Senior Women’s one-day tournament (10 matches).
However, the highlight of this season was the Goa Corporate League which was a maiden venture of its kind in the State. Many well-known India players like Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel, Vinay Kumar, Parthiv Patel, Axar Patel, Cheteshwar Pujara, Amit Mishra, Wasim Jaffer graced the well-received tournament at the GCA ground, Porvorim.
GCA also hosted ONGC and Public sector tournament. Major oil companies and public sector teams participated in this tournament. GCA also hosted the Income Tax Tournament.
Meanwhile, the summer camp is already underway and will continue till May 31 and this is the first time GCA has been having a residential camp for multiple age groups -- U-14/U-16/U-19 and hired reputed coaching staff. In addition to this, in-house coaches/physios/analysts/trainers assisted the head coaches.
Special dietician services have been introduced to look after nutritional requirements of athletes. For the said camp, former Sri Lanka cricketer Malinga Bandara, Nandan Phadnis, NCA coach and C Ashok, former Goa Ranji player were appointed. From this camp, in each group, six batsmen, six bowlers and two wicketkeepers will be selected and training for these selected players will continue during monsoons.
