600 Teams to Compete in ‘Gully Cricket’ Tournament in Chandigarh to Combat Drug Abuse

Synopsis

The Gully Cricket Tournament 2025 in Chandigarh will feature 600 teams with 7,200 young cricketers, focusing on promoting cricket while combating drug addiction. The event aims for a Guinness World Record and will take place across 20 venues starting April 20. Community engagement includes exhibition matches with local intellectuals.

Key Takeaways

600 teams and 7,200 participants
Focus on drug-free India initiative
Matches held at 20 city venues
Knockout format with tennis balls
Community engagement through exhibition matches

Chandigarh, March 26 (NationPress) A total of 600 teams featuring 7,200 young cricketers aged between 14 to 19 will take part in the third edition of the ‘Gully Cricket Tournament 2025’, commencing on April 20.

This significant participation aims to secure a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. The UT Cricket Association (UTCA) alongside the Chandigarh Police announced the launch of this annual event which aspires to foster a love for cricket among Chandigarh’s youth while supporting the 'Nasha Mukta Bharat Abhiyan' (drug-free India movement) and reducing minor criminal activities.

The tournament’s inauguration will be officiated by Gulab Chand Kataria, the Administrator of Chandigarh and Governor of Punjab.

The matches will be held at 20 venues throughout the city to facilitate easy access for players. Team registration is available at all police stations in Chandigarh, with the cutoff date for registration set for April 7.

The tournament will follow a knockout format, with each match comprising 10 overs per side, using tennis balls to minimize injury risks.

To further enhance community engagement, intellectuals from the city will also participate in exhibition matches on weekends during the tournament, aimed at promoting the spirit of cricket.

Sanjay Tandon, the President of UTCA, emphasized that the Gully Cricket Tournament is a distinctive initiative designed to harness the cricketing talents of youth from slums, colonies, and sectors.

“The goal of UTCA is not only to offer a platform for these young cricketers but also to mentor and nurture their talent, giving them chances to represent Chandigarh at the national level in BCCI tournaments. The UTCA panel of selectors will closely observe the tournament, and the most exceptional players will receive additional guidance and support post-event,” he stated.

Tandon further mentioned that this initiative is a vital component of the Nasha Mukta Bharat Abhiyan, with a strong emphasis on steering the youth away from drugs and minor crimes.

Present at the event, Inspector General R.K. Singh, along with Senior Superintendents of Police Kanwardeep Kaur and Geetanjali Khandelwal, underscored the significant role youth play in societal development.

Kaur remarked that the tournament represents an excellent opportunity to redirect the energy of the youth into constructive pursuits like sports, which helps diminish criminal behavior and drug abuse.