HP Tennis T10 Cricket Assn to conduct men’s, women’s trials

In order to encourage youngsters from the rural areas to opt for tennis cricket, the Himachal Pradesh (HP) Tennis T10 Cricket Association has decided to promote the game at the district and block levels. The association would soon conduct trials for men and women teams. Selected players would play in the national-level tournament scheduled to be held in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh).

While addressing a press conference here today, Yaduraj Singh, president, HP Tennis T10 Cricket Association, said, “Himachal Pradesh tennis cricket team is set to compete in the national-level tournament to be held in Lucknow. To select players for the team, we have decided to conduct trials across the state. The selected players would get an opportunity to represent the state at the national level.”

“Outstanding players would get a chance to qualify for the national team and represent India in a triangular series to be held in Sri Lanka,” he said.

He said tennis cricket was becoming more and more popular amongst people. He said the association wants to ensure that more and more youth take interest in the sport.

“It’s a well-known fact that most people in the rural areas of the state play cricket with balls made up of cloth. We want to spark the interest of tennis cricket amongst them. Unlike cricket, tennis cricket is more affordable. Players only need a bat and a tennis ball rather than buying leather balls, helmets, pads and other protective gears that are used in cricket,” said Singh.

“This new format of cricket is liked by youths across the country. It’s also played by celebrities. It popularity is continuously growing at the national level,” he said.

“The Himachal Pradesh’s Tennis Cricket team has played at the national level twice and performed excellently. In the year 2021, the team won a tournament in Chandigarh. In 2022, the team was ranked second in the tournament,” Singh added.

“There would be immense opportunities in tennis cricket in the coming times. In the future, players could get employment in the government sector by presenting meritorious certificates awarded in national and international level tournaments,” he said.

“Today, many players have played tennis cricket at the international level and made a name for themselves. We are hopeful that the youth of the state would like this new format of cricket,” he added.