Prakasam district is forging ahead to open the prestigious cricket to girls. As Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) has decided to put an end to male monopoly in cricket and throw the doors open to girls, Andhra Cricket Association took the cue to identify the talented girls and impart training to them in a bid to make a mark in women`s cricket.
The ACA has appointed coaches in as many as 13 districts to form teams. As part of the exercise, Venkata Nagesh was appointed coach for Prakasam district. The district cricket association went about the rural areas scouting for talent.
It held camps at five places and selected 46 girls after gauging their ability and interest in the game. Most of the girls are below 16 years of age.
The selected girls are invited for one-month training at Ongole. The cricket association is providing them free boarding and lodging. As the girls are poor, the association is providing them other paraphernalia like shoes.
Mr Nagesh said 20-25 girls would be finally selected to play for the district. They would play in the zonal and later state-level competitions. He expressed happiness over the good response they got from rural girls.
