T20 tournaments across Uttar Pradesh attracted the attention of the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) due to suspicious activities involving illegal betting firms that could jeopardize the careers of young cricketers.
To provide a proper platform to aspiring cricketers, there are several T20 cricket leagues in the format of top tier franchise leagues across Uttar Pradesh. On paper, the plan to organize district leagues sounds wonderful, as they can help emerging talents showcase their skills in front of a larger audience. But the question is, how are the District T20 leagues going on?
Real money betting activities are banned in India
It is alleged that these leagues are linked to a shady online betting network where real money may be involved. Since real money betting apps, websites, networks and all activities are strictly prohibited in India, district franchise leagues may also be in serious trouble in the future.
Since there are no formal complaints against such potentially illegal activities, state cricket associations are prohibited from taking action, but UPCA is keeping an eye on the leagues. District leagues are organized in Kanpur, Ayodhya, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut and Ghaziabad.
To establish themselves as brands, these district leagues are reportedly following a pattern of player auctions, testing cricketers in expensive hotels before a season, team branding, live telecasts, sponsorships, just like any other top brand T20 tournament across the world. It is alleged that some sponsors or their associated companies were linked to the online betting platform.
A cricket association official told The Times of India, “Although the leagues are presented as professional exposure opportunities for budding cricketers, the real financial benefit is being generated through betting activity around the matches.”
Accusations against event management companies
Another official of the district cricket body claimed that suspicious activities involving illegal betting websites are conducted through event management companies.
“District league event companies work like agents of betting companies. They tie up with district associations to organize district premier leagues, bring in sponsors and handle hosting plans. Some of the sponsors’ affiliate companies are also involved in online betting. It is a planned operation, and the same event company is involved in organizing multiple district leagues,” the official said.
Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association is monitoring the situation
Due to the professional nature of these leagues, regional cricketers are easily attracted to these tournaments. Cricketers who are dreaming of playing for top tier franchise leagues including the Indian Premier League prefer to participate in the district leagues.
If they perform well in these regional leagues, they may get a chance to earn a contract from the UP T20 League, and from the Uttar Pradesh T20 League, the next stop could be the Indian Premier League – this is the anticipated route for aspiring cricketers in Uttar Pradesh who play in the district leagues or are keen to participate in these tournaments. If proven to be involved in illegal activities, their career may be in danger.
UPCA Secretary Prem Manohar Gupta said, “District leagues are becoming a matter of serious concern for the UPCA. Be it irregularities in the District Premier League trials or complaints about online betting, such issues have come to our notice from some districts. However, no formal complaint has been received so far.”
