DDCA Celebrates Cricket Excellence with Increased Prize Money and Focus on Women's League
Annual Prize Distribution Ceremony at Arun Jaitley Stadium
On Thursday, the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) held its annual awards ceremony for the 2025-26 season at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. This event honored exceptional performances from clubs and players across various competitions organized by the DDCA. Key figures in attendance included DDCA President Rohan Jaitley, Secretary Ashok Sharma, Vice-President Shikha Kumar, Treasurer Harish Singla, and Joint Secretary Amit Grover.
Increased Prize Money and Women's Cricket Initiatives
The DDCA has raised the prize money by 10% for all categories this season, bringing the total to Rs 1,43,20,500. In a significant move to support women's cricket, the association has introduced prize money for clubs in the Women's T20 League. Each of the ten groups in this league will receive Rs 2 lakh for the winner and Rs 1.75 lakh for the runner-up, emphasizing DDCA's dedication to enhancing participation and competition in women's cricket.
Commitment to Developing Cricket at All Levels
Rohan Jaitley expressed that the DDCA is devoted to fortifying cricket in Delhi from grassroots to elite levels. He stated, "Recognizing and rewarding performances is crucial as it motivates players and teams to strive for excellence. We are also focused on creating robust pathways for women's cricket, ensuring players receive the necessary support and opportunities to advance. Our goal is to cultivate an environment where excellence is acknowledged and to provide the next generation of cricketers with the platform they deserve."
Grassroots Development and Future Aspirations
Ashok Sharma highlighted that the foundation of Delhi cricket lies in grassroots development, emphasizing the importance of encouraging young cricketers from the start. He remarked, "These awards not only recognize players' achievements but also serve as motivation for them to continue striving for higher levels. By enhancing competitions and acknowledging performances across categories, we are shaping the future of cricket from the ground up."
Recognition of Women's Cricket
Shikha Kumar noted that the introduction of prize money for clubs in the Women's T20 League is a vital step towards acknowledging and encouraging women's cricket. She stated, "We aim to provide women cricketers with a clear pathway and ensure their performances are valued. By extending financial support to all ten groups, we are promoting greater participation and competition, thereby fostering the growth of women's cricket in Delhi."
Celebrating Achievements in Cricket
The ceremony recognized champions, runners-up, and standout performers from the DDCA League 40 Overs Tournament, Men's T20 League, and Hot Weather Tournament. The acknowledgment of women's cricket and the introduction of prize money for participating clubs further solidify the association's commitment to creating more opportunities for women cricketers in Delhi.