Arunachal Frontier Women’s T20 league kicks off in Itanagar with focus on equal opportunities

The Arunachal Frontier Women’s T20 Cricket League began on September 3 at Jullang in the Capital region, marking a significant push for women’s cricket in the state. The five-day tournament, featuring 60 players across multiple teams, will run until September 9, with the final set for the closing day.

A total of 10 matches are scheduled, with each team playing four games in the league stage. The top four teams will move into the semifinals before battling for the championship. The event is being organized by senior female cricketers in collaboration with the Itanagar Cricket Club, with support from the Arunachal Institute of Cricket.

At the inauguration, Itanagar Cricket Club president Suraj Tayem stressed the importance of providing equal opportunities for women in cricket. He called on the Arunachal Cricket Association to create structured pathways—such as one-day, Test, and T20 tournaments—for women players, ensuring their voices and experiences shape the future of the sport in the state.

Coach Lalit Deva of the Arunachal Institute of Cricket urged players to treat the league as a stepping stone to higher levels of competition. While encouraging them to pursue national-level representation, he highlighted the challenges facing women’s cricket in Arunachal, including a shortage of facilities, limited grounds, and frequent disruptions caused by weather.

Players welcomed the initiative, describing the tournament as a much-needed platform to showcase talent and build confidence. Many expressed hope that the league would inspire more girls to take up cricket and contribute to strengthening the sport in the state.