League cum knockout MCA U-16 tourney to be held between 4th and 25th May, 2024

The much awaited 32nd edition of the Kalpesh Govind Koli Memorial Cricket Tourney (KKCT) being organised by Matunga based New Hind Sporting Club under the aegis of Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) will be an expanded 24 team affair this time around from 20 in the previous edition held in 2023. The same is to be done with a view to provide budding young cricketers of the future an opportunity to be selected for the MCA Under-16 Team.

This was announced during a media conference that was chaired by Nagesh Thakur, Founder of the KKCT in presence of Bhaskar Iyer, President of New Hind Sporting Club and Sonali Thanekar, Committee Member, KKCT in presence of Sachin Koli, Joint Secretary, KKCT

Scheduled to commence from 4th May onwards the same will played over two days on league-cum-knockout basis format between 21 teams from MCA ‘s organised Summer Vacation Camps in addition to the MCA’s three Colts teams at various grounds within the jurisdiction of the governing body of the game in Mumbai, including those in Navi Mumbai (Navi Mumbai Sports Association, Nerul Gymkhana and Belapur 40 plus).

The tournament will kick-off with the inaugural function at New Hind Sporting Club. Maj. Ramesh Dadkar Maidan, Matunga at 8.30 a.m. on 4th May. The same will be held in presence of Indian Test Cricketer Sarfraz Khan who has consented to be the Guest of Honor along with Indian Test Cricket First Women Umpire and member of Development Panel of ICC Umpires Ms Vrinda Rathi who will be the Chief Guest in presence of key members of MCA Committee and Senior actor , stage artist and dialog writer Sanjay Mone among others.

The Final of the tournament that is held every year, in fond memory of Kalpesh Koli, a budding cricketer whose blooming career was nipped in the bud to an unfortunate accident will be held on 24th and 25th May 2024 at Matunga and will be followed Prize Distribution and Valedictory Function.

In a first of its kind the KKCT organizing committee is in process of providing personal insurance cover to all 480 players participating in the tournament with a view to mitigate any unforeseen injury during the course of the tournament.

About Kalpesh Govind Koli Memorial Cricket Tourney (KKCT)

Since its inception in 1991, this tournament has gained immense strength and popularity and has become the ideal tournament to look forward to by budding young cricketers of the future. The performance in this tournament has become the benchmark for the selection of the Mumbai Cricket Association's (MCA) Under-16 Team. Keeping in mind the objective of hidden talent search, New Hind Sporting Club organizes the Kalpesh Govind Koli Memorial Cricket Tournament, every year, in fond memory of Kalpesh Koli, a budding cricketer whose blooming career was nipped in the bud to an unfortunate accident.

This tournament is for the MCA’s Summer Vacation Camps with the motto, "Youth Talent Search", giving a platform for youngsters to showcase their talents. Many stars have risen from this tournament and gone on to represent not only Mumbai but also India.

The 24 teams that will be participating in this year tourney include MCA organised Summer Vacation Camps teams based in Ghansoli Ground along with Kharghar based Gharat Cricket Ground, reigning champion Borivali Center, runner's up Dahisar Center and MCA's 'A', 'B' and 'C' Colts teams will be divided in six groups. The matches in this tournament will be played over two days on league-cum-knockout basis format. This tournament will witness a total 39 matches before a winner is decided and will be played from 4th May to 25th May, 2024.

Matches will be scheduled on 4th-5th May, 11th-12th May, 18th-19th May, 21st -22nd May and 24th-25th May, at various grounds including Vashi, Nerul, Belapur in Navi Mumbai, Kandivali, Dahisar, Virar, Kalina, Matunga, Adani Ground- Dahanu, Vangani and Badlapur.

Photo Above: Nagesh Thakur, Founder of the KKCT (C) in presence of Bhaskar Iyer, President of New Hind Sporting Club (L) and Sonali Thanekar, Committee Member, KKCT addressing the media