BCCI Weighs Associate Status for Andaman & Nicobar Cricket
The Indian board is set to deliberate on bringing the union territory's cricket body into its fold at the upcoming AGM.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is considering a proposal to grant associate membership to the Andaman and Nicobar Cricket Association. The matter is expected to be taken up during the BCCI's annual general meeting scheduled for September 28 in Mumbai, with a formal notice already circulated to all member associations.
At present, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands—one of India's eight union territories—do not have any representation in domestic cricket, unlike other territories such as Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and Chandigarh. The local cricket body organizes regional tournaments but operates without official recognition from the BCCI.
If the membership is approved, it would open the door for the BCCI to conduct matches and tournaments in the island chain, which spans over 800 islands and lies more than 1,000 kilometres from the mainland. The agenda item is titled 'Grant of Associate Membership to Cricket Association Andaman & Nicobar Island for the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands,' and the board will seek the views of its members before making a decision.