INITIATIVE AIMS TO ADDRESS DRUG ABUSE, MIGRATION TO OTHER COUNTRIES AND INCOME CHALLENGES AMONG PUNJAB YOUTH
Face2News/Chandigarh
The GM Box Cricket Association (GMBCA) today announced the launch of Mega Tennis Ball Box Cricket Trials across Punjab and the Tricity region, aimed at selecting 4,000 talented boys and girls for its Season 1 Players Pool. The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Press Club, Chandigarh.
Speaking at the event, Baba Inder Preet Singh, Founder, GMBCA, said “This recognised and formally organised mass-level tennis ball box cricket initiative is designed to create a strong positive social impact. It will help address critical issues such as drug abuse, unsafe immigration practices, and lack of sustainable income opportunities among Punjab’s youth by providing them with a professional sporting career pathway.”
The trials are open to boys and girls aged 15 to 45 years and will be conducted district-wise across Punjab, beginning January 2026 onwards, at multiple venues. The nominal registration fee is Rs. 900.
Selected players will gain opportunities to earn Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 60,000 per month, and potentially Rs. 40–60 lakh annually through a combination of match fees, league participation, and endorsements, creating a viable income source through professional tennis ball box cricket.
GMBCA has also invited cricket tournament organisers, cricket academies, and coaches to associate as District Coordinators across all 23 districts of Punjab.
Rakesh Rastogi (UP State Coordinator) and Sukhwinder Singh Sokhi (Delhi State Coordinator) shared their experiences, highlighting the overwhelming response and active participation of youth in their respective states.
Other members of the coordinating committee present at the press meet included Mukesh Chauhan, Sukhwinder Singh (Sukhi), Gurpreet Kaur, and Rahul.
Trials are planned across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, and Maharashtra. The detailed schedule will be announced shortly on www.gmbca.org.
Two Professional Platforms for Selected Players
Platform 1: Gali Mohalla Cricket League (GMCL) – Season 1 (2025–26)
Selected players in categories of batsman, bowler, wicket-keeper, and all-rounder will get an opportunity to participate in the GMCL Season 1. Teams will be formed state-wise by a GMBCA expert panel to compete in district, state, national, and international league matches. Participants will have the chance to win prize money of Rs. 11 lakh for National Winners and Rs. 5 lakh for Runners-up.
Platform 2: GMBCA Players Pool & Global Opportunities
Post trials, GMBCA will create a category-wise players pool and conduct professional training camps. Player profiles will be compiled and shared with national and international tennis ball box cricket tournament organisers, franchise owners, and cricket boards.
This platform will enable selected players to compete domestically and internationally, earning through match fees, endorsements, and professional contracts, thereby building a sustainable career in tennis ball box cricket.