‘ACA aims for more intl matches: Kesineni Chinni

Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) president and Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath has expressed optimism regarding the future of cricket in the State, attributing recent progress to the efforts of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “With their backing, the State is progressing rapidly,” he stated during a two-day review meeting at the ACA-VDCA stadium in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.
Sivanath underscored the ACA’s unwavering commitment to hosting more international cricket matches in the state, facilitated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). “We are determined to bring international cricket to our state and provide local fans with the opportunity to watch world-class matches,” he affirmed, highlighting the association’s ambitious plans to enhance cricket’s profile in Andhra Pradesh.
In an exciting new initiative aimed at fostering young talent, Sivanath announced plans to tap into the hidden passion for cricket among youth in villages across 175 constituencies. “Our priority is to promote the ACA’s mark in remote areas, including places like Araku, to foster cricket at the grassroots level,” he explained. This initiative will focus on improving infrastructure for cricket development, with training facilities set to be established in the South Zone, North Zone, and Central Zone, akin to the Center of Excellence recently launched in Bangalore by the BCCI. “This will enable our players to receive high-quality training and development,” Sivanath emphasised.
The ACA president also acknowledged the critical role of government support in advancing sports development in the region, announcing, “Visakhapatnam Stadium will be upgraded with facilities that meet international standards.” This upgrade is part of a broader strategy to elevate the standards of cricket in the state.
In a collaborative effort to strengthen cricket across Andhra Pradesh, Sivanath and Secretary Sana Satish Babu have committed to engaging with the presidents and secretaries of the 13 joint district cricket associations. On Sunday, they met with representatives from the cricket associations of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, and East Godavari districts, vowing to address local challenges and seek viable solutions. “We are committed to tackling the issues faced by our district associations and ensuring that cricket flourishes in every corner of the state,” Shivanath remarked.
Additionally, ongoing efforts are in place to upgrade the North Zone Cricket Academy in Vizianagaram. A meeting with the remaining nine district cricket presidents and secretaries is scheduled for Monday, where they will further discuss strategies for cricket development in the region.