DEHRADUN: After a wait of nearly two decades, the state cricket board — Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU), finally received affiliation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday.

The decision was taken by the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) at its meeting in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by CoA chief Vinod Rai in which it was decided that Uttarakhand should have its state board. After the meeting, the decision was also conveyed to CAU through email. The affiliation facilitates CAU to host domestic tournaments as well as matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

State sports minister Arvind Pandey congratulated the association members soon after the decision. He said that the affiliation is the result of the constant work done by the government for almost two years.

“It’s a matter of immense pride for us. Now the state’s youths will not have to play for other teams. We all hope that it will be an opportunity for them to showcase their talent,” said the minister.

Uttarakhand has been vying to get the BCCI’s affiliation since its inception.

