The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to discuss granting associate membership to the Cricket Association Andaman & Nicobar at its upcoming annual general body meeting in Mumbai.
The proposal could mark an important development for cricket in the Union Territory, where the sport has been growing but does not currently have an association affiliated with the BCCI.
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The Cricket Association Andaman & Nicobar is the regional body responsible for promoting and developing cricket in the islands. The proposed associate membership would bring the association into the BCCI’s organisational framework and could provide greater opportunities for players and administrators in the region.
The matter is expected to be taken up at the BCCI’s annual general body meeting scheduled for September 28. Member associations will discuss the proposal before a decision is taken.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands present unique challenges for the development of cricket because of their geographical location. The Union Territory consists of more than 800 islands and is situated over 1,000 kilometres from mainland India, between the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.
Associate membership could help provide a more structured platform for developing the sport in the region. It may also create better opportunities for young cricketers to receive professional coaching, participate in organised competitions and potentially progress to higher levels of domestic cricket.
For local administrators, BCCI recognition could also help improve cricketing infrastructure and strengthen grassroots programmes. Greater integration with the national cricket system could give talented players from the islands a clearer pathway to recognised domestic cricket.
However, associate membership would be an initial step rather than immediate full membership. The regional association would still need to develop its administrative structure, facilities and competitive cricket programmes.
The proposal is therefore expected to attract considerable interest among cricket officials in the Union Territory. If approved, it could represent a significant step towards bringing Andaman & Nicobar into India’s wider domestic cricket structure.
The final decision will be taken after the BCCI’s member associations consider the proposal at the upcoming annual general body meeting.
