BATTING FOR COMMON GOOD

UTCA chief Sanjay Tandon has transformed Chandigarh streets into cricket nurseries with a unique gully cricket tournament, promoting anti-drug campaigns and nurturing local talent. Harpreet Bajwa spotlights this remarkable effort aimed at building a brighter future

- CHANDIGARH

N a one-of-its-kind initiative in the country, Chandigarh has turned its streets into cricket nurseries through a gully cricket tournament. This unique event, which has the slogan "Balla Ghumaao, Nasha Bhagaao," is aimed at strengthening the Nasha Mukt Abhiyan (Drug-Free Campaign), and is also building a robust talent pool for Chandigarh's cricket teams.

Seven players from last year's edition earned spots on the Under-19 Chandigarh team, with one progressing to a BCCI tournament.

The tournament, now in its second edition, is played with tennis balls and has already set records. This year, 302 teams participated, surpassing the previous edition's 204 teams. It earned a place in the Asia Book of Records last year. The organisers are now aiming for the Guinness Book of Records. The unique aspect of the tournament is its integration with an anti-drug campaign. Before each match, a bus screens a 10-minute video on the perils of drug abuse, followed by players taking an oath to stay drug-free.