NAGPUR: In yet another blow to junior cricketers from the city, the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) has decided to put the under-16 trials on hold indefinitely owing to the new restrictions.
As soon as indoor activities were allowed by the civic authorities in June, VCA called the trials for under-16 boys. The association was conducting the trials at the indoor facility of the VCA Academy. They even completed two rounds of trials under the watchful eyes of selector Kishor Wakode and a couple of coaches.
However, when the shortlisting activity was into its penultimate stage, it has been stopped as indoor activities are disallowed. On the other hand, VCA's outdoor activities for seniors are underway as outdoor morning activities are allowed. The state has enforced new norms anticipating a rise in Delta variant cases in the state.
Earlier, restrictions on indoor activities were there till June 5. Now, it has been extended by another week. Reacting to this, a senior VCA official feels there would be more extensions to restrictions and it will lead to further delay in conducting trials.
"We always believe in adhering to the orders rather than writing it to the district administration for special permission. We are expecting more extensions looking at the scenario. We know a lot of juniors have been affected the most in the last 18 months. Keeping that in mind, as soon as we got a chance, we conducted the trials for under-16 at the indoor facility of VCA Academy. The final and crucial round is still left. We are also worried because the BCCI looks certain of holding the full season," a VCA official told TOI.
VCA even had plans to start under-14 trials post the completion of under-16 trials. The under-14 and under-16 boys last played competitive cricket in December 2019. After that, it has been a complete pause. Even clubs in the city are more willing to allow seniors for practice than juniors.
