The Opening Ceremony and Trophy Unveiling of the 1st North East (NE) Little Masters Trophy 2025 for Under-14 boys was held on Friday evening at the 91 Yards Club Auditorium, ACA Stadium premises, Guwahati. Organised under the aegis of the Assam Cricket Association (ACA), this inaugural tournament marks a significant milestone in promoting grassroots cricket across the North Eastern states of India.
A first-of-its-kind initiative, the NE Little Masters Trophy 2025 brings together eight teams representing the North Eastern states in a competitive 40-over format to display their talent, gain vital match experience, and nurture the spirit of sportsmanship.
The ceremonial event was graced by the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Mr. Devajit Saikia, Secretary, BCCI, as Chief Guest;
Mr. M.K.J. Majumdar, Member, BCCI Apex Council, as Guest of Honour; along with ACA Secretary Mr. Tridib Konwar; Tournament Director of the 1st NE Little Masters Trophy Mr Romen Dutta and other distinguished guests.
The matches will be held across two venues in Guwahati. The participating teams are divided into two groups:
Group A: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram
Group B: Tripura, Sikkim, Manipur, Nagaland
The grand finale of the tournament is scheduled for April 30, 2025, at the ACA Cricket Academy Ground, Amingaon, North Guwahati.
Speaking on the occasion, BCCI Secretary Mr. Devajit Saikia congratulated all the Northeastern cricket associations for this landmark initiative and highlighted the significance of such tournaments in identifying and nurturing young talent providing them with valuable exposure and experience. He extended his best wishes to all the participating teams, expressing hope that the tournament will serve as a stepping stone for young cricketers from the region.
BCCI Apex Council Member Mr. M.K.J. Majumdar highlighted the significance of this initiative in shaping the future of cricket in the Northeast. “This tournament represents a crucial step in fostering cricketing talent in the region,” he emphasized.
ACA Secretary Mr. Tridib Konwar said, The NE Little Masters Trophy is a visionary step towards strengthening the grassroots cricketing structure in the region. We believe that this platform will not only discover young talent from the Northeast but also provide them with the right exposure to grow and excel.
The 1st NE Little Masters Trophy 2025, with a collaborative effort by the North eastern state cricket associations, is committed to promoting cricket in this region of India. With a focus on grassroots development, it aims to identify and nurture young talent, providing them with the necessary infrastructure and support to excel in the sport. Assam Cricket Association looks forward to an exciting and memorable tournament and wishes all participating teams the very best.
(With inputs from Pritam Mahanta, CEO,ACA and edited by Pratyusha Mukherjee, Sr.Broadcast ,Journalist, British Media, & Editorial Head, Defence & Sports, NE India Broadcast)
