More women cricketers to get annual contract in Punjab

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, August 8

The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) will increase the number of female cricketers in its annual contract system, a decision taken by its Apex Council today.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of PCA president Rajinder Gupta and was attended by a majority of the members. The meeting lasted five hours and as many as 24 points on the agenda were discussed.

According to Puneet Bali, PCA secretary, the house approved the inclusion of 10 female players along with 30 male players under the annual contract system.

However, the names suggested will be securitised again before making a final list.

“The contract system has been more or less approved by the council. However senior selectors of both male and female teams have decided to scrutinise the players on the basis of their performance before announcing the final list,” said Bali.

He further added, “The number of female players has been increased to 10.”

The council has also decided to release a grant of Rs 7 lakh for senior selectors and Rs 5 lakh for junior selectors.

“In principle, it has been decided to increase the grant for senior selectors to Rs 7 lakh, and for junior selectors to Rs 5 lakh. The allocation of funds to the districts has been increased to Rs 8 lakh for minors and Rs 12.5 lakh for majors.”

It has also been decided that district secretaries and presidents will submit their requirements and an inspection team will allocate the budget to develop infrastructure. “The district secretaries and presidents will submit their requirements in order to improve infrastructure at their respective stadiums. After receiving the requests, a PCA inspection team will be formed. It will make sure about allocation of budget and its implementation for developing the required infrastructure,” added Bali.

The council also approved a bonus of Rs 40,000 for the PCA ground staff and office workers, who are performing duties despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Upgrading stadium

The council also decided to upgrade the IS Bindra Stadium within a period of six to nine months. “Since an international cricket academy is to be developed here, we have to upgrade the facilities, including upgrading the grounds, gyms, swimming pools, rooms, apart from other infrastructure,” said Bali.