A & A Events Worldwide Limited is going to launch a Punjab Premiere League (PPL)

Under the objective of 'Say No to Drugs and Yes to Cricket,' A & A Events Worldwide Limited is going to launch a Punjab Premiere League (PPL) on the pattern of Indian Premier League, which would help bring forth the talent of budding cricketers of Punjab. Company director Kanwaljit Singh Bagga informed about its launch in a conference organised at Hotel Park Plaza Ludhiana.

He said that Punjab Premiere League would consist of eight corporate teams of eight major cities of Punjab and will select youngsters in the age group of 14 to 30 years. He said the main focus would be to promote the game at grass route levels and promote the hidden talent of cricket embedded in our younger generation. He said that eight teams would be formed in the prominent cities like Ludhiana Titans, Jalandhar Spartans, Mohali Sharks, Maharaja's of Patiala, Amritsar Brave Hearts, Chandigarh Ninja's, NRI Sultans, and Bathinda Bulls.

Kanwaljit Singh further informed that that aforesaid teams would be auctioned to corporate and industrialists and they would become the franchise owners. The auction would take place in the first half of September this year in Ludhiana at Punjab Agricultural University cricket grounds he added. Talking about the selection procedure for players, Kanwaljit Singh said the team owners are expected to select players with the consent of retired players of Punjab in order to get right talent on floor.

According to Bhupinder Singh and Amrik Singh, it is a great opportunity for Punjabi youth to participate in such a gala event and the players will be selected through fair trails in all the selected cities on due dates, which will be advertised later. They added that selection committee would take trials, which will consists of experienced coaches and cricket players and the winning team will be awarded with Rs 5,00,000 as cash reward. Kanwaljit Singh further informed that State Bank of India will be their official partner of Punjab Premiere League and form will be made available across Punjab in all the branches of Punjab soon.

"It is for the first time in Punjab that a company is organising such a big cricket event with big budget which will definitely provide a grand platform for our youngsters, and will affect the growth of cricket positively. The company plans to arrange a gala event on the closing ceremony where leading singers of Punjab will be invited to glamourise the event and make it most memorable one," he said.