Shillong, May 16: In what could be termed as a proud moment for Shillong city and the whole North Eastern region, Andrew Ropmay from Meghalaya has been selected to play in the Northern Premier League (NPL), a second string of the prestigious cricket tournament, the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Ropmay, a resident of Nongrah-Rynjah in Shillong, was selected to play in the NPL which will kick start from May 21.
The Shillong lad has been selected to represent Chandigarh Dominators, a cricket team from Chandigarh in the NPL.
Ropmay has been included in the Chandigarh Dominators’ squad, where they will take on Punjab Riders in their first match on May 23 at Gurgaon in Haryana.
The NPL matches will be telecast live on Neo Prime sports channel.
Ropmay has been part of the little known cricket club known as Shillong Mavericks.
Under the leadership of Ropmay, Shillong Mavericks became the first cricket team from the North East to have participated in the Gujarat Premiere League.
Talking to Shillongtoday.com, Ropmay was excited to share the news about his selection to represent Chandigarh Dominators in the NPL.
“While playing for Shillong Mavericks in the Gujarat Premiere League, I was shocked when I was told by selectors that I have been selected to play in the NPL,” an elated Ropmay said.
He also admitted the fact that cricket in the North East is yet to pick up, and get popular due to lack of sponsors. “Without sponsorship it is very difficult to sustain in cricket because players do not get paid,” he observed.
Lamenting failures of the State sports bodies to promote cricket in the state, the 34-year old cricketer, however expressed his gratitude to sponsors for supporting Shillong Mavericks to participate in the Gujarat Premiere League.
“It was very difficult for us to go all the way to Gujarat without sponsors. Luckily, we got Shell company, and Ajay Trading company from Guwahati and Sports Department that supported us for the tournament,” he said.
Ropmay along with other cricketers who represented Shillong Mavericks, also had the opportunity of playing with well known players such as India’s first-class cricketer, Harshal Patel, and other players who had played in the Ranji Trophy.
“The games over there were totally unmatchable with the games we played here. They are like world class players and playing against them, it makes you get better,” a delighted Ropmay stated.
He also urged youngsters from Shillong to participate in bigger tournaments outside but they should not forget the roots.
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