The eagerly awaited Bengal Britain Travel Friendship Cup Cricket Tournament – Season 2 is set to bring together the spirit of sportsmanship and tourism between India and the UK. This cricket tournament to be held on 1-2 February at Police Athletic Club will showcase an electrifying series of matches, with Men’s and Women’s teams competing in a unique blend of cricket and cultural exchange.
The tournament which was started in 2024 is an initiative of British Deputy High Commission Kolkata in partnership with SKAL International Kolkata, Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) and Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI).
The Season 2 of this tournament will be a platform to celebrate not only men’s cricket but also women’s cricket, highlighting the growing recognition of female athletes in the sport. A special women’s match will be played in T10 overs format on 2 February 2025, emphasizing the commitment to inclusivity and gender equality in sports. This landmark event aims to further strengthen the bonds between India and the UK, fostering deeper connections through shared love for cricket, tourism, and mutual respect.
The UK will be at the forefront of an exciting summer of sports this year. For the first time ever England will field three national cricket teams (Men’s, Women’s, and a Pan-Disability team) against their India counterparts. The UK will also host the Men’s and Women’s FA Cup Final, London Marathon, the tennis Championships at Wimbledon, various international golf tournaments, prestigious horse races meetings like Royal Ascot, the British Grand Prix, Premier League football, The Women’s Rugby World Cup, a full summer programme of county cricket plus The Hundred, and many other big ticket tournaments.
*Dr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to East and Northeast India said: “Bengal Britain Travel Friendship Cup is a great initiative. Sport is a major motivation for many to visit the UK. Last year I promised women’s participation in future editions of this Cup and I am proud that this year we are delivering on this pledge.”*
Alongside the thrilling cricket action, the Bengal Britain Travel Friendship Cup will offer opportunities for the travel and tourism fraternity to foster better relations to promote people to people connections between India and the UK. It is expected to enhance meaningful dialogue within the travel trade bodies, boost tourism and forge stronger ties between the two nations, underscoring the power of sports as a unifying force.
The Season 2 of this tournament has been brought with support from EIILM, ONN total Comfort, Aminia, Chandni Travels, KREAMZ, Goldex, Air Arabia, Vedic Village Resort and Spa, Akbar Travels, Bents, The Stadel, Hira Moti, 911i Care, RG Cellular and Gupta Brothers.
