da jogodeouro： The Punjab Cricket Association approved a budget of Rs 3.5 crore for2001-02 at its annual general body meeting at the PCA stadium inMohali on Sunday, laying emphasis on coaching and equipment fordistrict associations beside creating a unique
Staff Reporter09-Jul-2001The Punjab Cricket Association approved a budget of Rs 3.5 crore for2001-02 at its annual general body meeting at the PCA stadium inMohali on Sunday, laying emphasis on coaching and equipment fordistrict associations beside creating a unique benevolent fund schemefor former Punjab cricketers, a huge increase in the inter-districtchampionship prize money, and advancement of the Centre of Excellenceplan.Addressing newsmen after the meeting of the PCA, its president,Inderjit Singh Bindra said that the association would spend a majorchunk out of the budget amounting to Rs 30 lakh on coaching of playersand providing equipments.The association had increased the prize moneyfor the inter-district championships from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.Besides, the winners and the runners-up will be awarded a cash prizefrom this season onward, he added.Bindra further said that the association commended the outstandingperformance of state team in various age groups of the North Zonechampionship. At least five Punjab players played for the Indian teamlast season. The AGM also decided to honour Harbhajan Singh and formerIndian player Navjot Singh Sidhu for excelling at the highest level.The meeting also complimented MP Pandove for successfully pleadingPCA’s case in the Board’s Tour and Fixture committee meeting held atJaipur to host the first Test against England from December 3 to 7 andthe first One Day International against Zimbabwe on March 7 next year.Bindra revealed that a provision of Rs 25 lakh has been made in thebudget for present and past cricketers of the state under thebenevolent fund for players. The association from this season willregister every player.The executive committee also authorised the technical committee to fixall the venues of the Ranji Trophy and Deodhar Trophy matches allottedto the PCA during the ensuing season. The state teams in all agegroups, including the Punjab Ranji team, will also have a sponsor fromthis year.In an amendment of the PCA constitution carried out at the meeting,the AGM also approved the election of Prabhu Chawla (Editor, IndiaToday) and Lalit Modi (of Modi Group) as two new vice-presidents inthe association, thus bringing the number of vice presidents to five.The Modi group has agreed to sponsor the “Centre of Excellence” schemeof the association from this season, Bindra added.