By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 15 Apr: The 7th edition of the All India PC Batta Memorial Inter School Cricket Tournament was inaugurated today at Kasiga School, here, amidst a gathering of sports lovers.
The tournament, a tribute to the late Prakash Chand Batta, was founded by Ramesh Batta, the Chairman of Kasiga School and an esteemed figure in Indian cricket with over 47 years of experience. The initiative continues to grow each year and now stands as a beacon of school-level cricket excellence.
Present atthe opening ceremony were Ramesh Batta, Director Siddharth Batta, Headmaster Rashid Sharffuddin, Bursar Kamal Jindal, along with coaches, umpires, and enthusiastic student-athletes.
Eleven premier schools from Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana are participating this year. Group A includes Welham Boys’ School, Kasiga School, Wynberg Allen School, Tula’s School (all from Dehradun), and Woodstock School from Mussoorie. Group B features K Birla Centre of Education, Gyan Ganga School from Pune, Scindia School from Gwalior, MNSS from Rai, and SelaQui International School (Team B).
The matches are being played on the BCCI-approved Kasiga Cricket Oval, a spectacular venue that has hosted numerous national and international matches — a fact that elevates the tournament’s significance.
In his address, Chairman and Chief Guest Ramesh Batta expressed his deep passion for cricket and urged the youth to embrace sports. He also acknowledged the advantage day schools and cricket academies have over boarding schools due to their large student strength, making team selection easier. He applauded the commitment of boarding schools and emphasised that “this tournament remains a celebration of true sportsmanship”.
Headmaster Rashid Sharffuddin, a keen advocate of student athletics, extended his appreciation to all participants. He also reminded the players that “cricket is a gentleman’s game, and we must always honour its values on and off the pitch”.
The tournament commenced with two thrilling matches — Welham Boys’ School vs SelaQui International School in which SelaQui International School won by 44 runs; and Kasiga School vs Woodstock School, Mussoorie. Kasiga School beat Woodstock by 81 runs.
The Man of the Match award went to Vikramaditya of Kasiga School for scoring 69 runs and taking 3 wickets.
The 15-day cricketing extravaganza promises fierce competition, unforgettable moments, and the spirit of camaraderie.
