DIMAPUR — The third edition of the Bihari Cricket Premier League (BCPL), organised by the Nagaland Bihari Samaj in memory of Lt. Munga Lal Prasad, was inaugurated by Zhaleo Rio, Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, at the Ram Janaki Hr. Sec. School ground, Thakurbari Colony, Dimapur, on July 24.
Altogether, 20 teams are participating in the tournament, according to an update.
Speaking at the event, Rio remarked that cricket is a sport cherished by Indians nationwide. He highlighted that the Nagaland Government, under Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio's leadership, is promoting cricket in the state and despite being in its early stages, the sport is advancing well.
He stated that the Bihari community in Nagaland were pioneers in business, trade, and commerce in the state and thanked them for their contributions to Nagaland's development. He also congratulated Bihari cricketers who represented the state in junior and senior categories, bringing laurels to Nagaland.
Expressing happiness that, after 20 years, Nagaland was able to hold the ULB election with 33 percent reservation for women, he congratulated the Nagas for the successful and smooth conduct of the election.
He appealed to the newly elected councillors to work in unity, with integrity and transparency, for the development of society, irrespective of the different political parties they belong to. Rio also stressed the importance of establishing collection points for garbage and segregating waste.
The guest of honour for the inaugural programme was Hukheto Yepthomi, chairman of the DMC, and the special guest was Omega Yepthomi, councillor of Ward 17, DMC.