Hyderabad: The World Future League (WFL), promoted by Steel Exchange India Limited of the Vizag Profiles Group, on Tuesday announced its inaugural edition of ‘WFL-Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy T20 Asia Cup 2009’ to be held here from December 16 to 19.
15 teams comprising of Under-17 squads from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the UAE will battle it out in the tournament which will be played at the L B stadium, WFL CEO and Director Joseph Rego told reporters here.
“The WFL is no competition, no parallel league to anybody or any cricket body around the world. We are here only to promote cricket. Our objective is to identify talent among the youth and give them an opportunity to showcase their talent and help in achieving their goals,” he said.
Rego said they have written to the BCCI with regard to the tournament and said, “though we have no official recognition letter from them, BCCI should not find fault with us. We need their blessings. At this moment we would be happy to get an NOC.”
He said he would soon meet Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to seek permission from the Home Ministry to have the Pakistan team play in India.
“It’s not just for cricket, we would like to do our bit to every sport in this country wherever we have an opportunity,” he added.
The WFL also announced USD one lakh as prize money to the winners.
“This is just a beginning and from next year there would be T20 World Cup with participation from 14 nations to be played across India,” Rego said adding that an auction of its ‘Title sponsorship’ and for five cricket teams would be conducted on November 16.
Explaining the selection of players and teams, Rego said the selection process in India was done from eight cities wherein children from all schools and academies underwent cricket camps.
Cricketer Stuart Binny is the Indian ambassador of WFL Team India, Pakistan’s Abdul Razzaq heads WFL Team Pakistan, former Sri Lankan cricketers Hashan Tillakaratne and Russel Arnold are the face of WFL Team Lanka, former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar will head WFL Team Bangladesh and Chris Cairns will lead WFL Team UAE, he added.
On the occasion, ace Tennis player and Globosport MD Mahesh Bhupathi said, “I’m happy to be associated with WFL which is promoting youth. I think there is a long future for this league. We wish it all success.”
Former All England Badminton champion P Gopichand, who also shared the dais, said “It’s (WFL) a wonderful idea. They are also looking at other sports which is good.”
Bureau Report
