Guwahati, August 16: Cricket fever is set to grip Guwahati, with the city confirmed to host five matches, including the final, of the ICC Women’s World Cup, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday.
Making the announcement during the inauguration of two sports academies at Phulung in North Guwahati, Sarma said the city would not only stage the final but also several key fixtures of the prestigious tournament.
"We have been told that Guwahati will host some matches, including the final. Understandably, cricket enthusiasts are excited about the development," the Chief Minister told the press.
According to the ICC schedule, Guwahati will host four group matches, with Indian women taking the field at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium against New Zealand on October 23. The city’s tryst with the tournament will begin with England vs Bangladesh on October 7, followed by England vs Sri Lanka on October 11. The group stage curtain will fall in Guwahati on October 26, when England meet New Zealand.
The announcement adds another high point to Guwahati’s sporting calendar. In November, cricket fans will be treated to a marquee clash when World Test Championship winners South Africa take on India. The second Test of the two-match series will be played at Barsapara from November 22 to 26.
With back-to-back high-profile fixtures, Barsapara is once again shaping up as a prime cricketing destination and fans in Guwahati are set for a thrilling season ahead.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also inaugurated the permanent campuses of the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) Cricket Academy and the Guwahati Town Club (GTC) Football Academy at Uttar Phulung, Rangmahal in North Guwahati.
The inauguration marks a major step in Assam’s efforts to provide world-class sporting infrastructure to nurture the next generation of athletes.
Interacting with the press after the event, the Chief Minister said the academies represent more than just new infrastructure.
“Assam already has a lot of good facilities, but our goal is not just about building infrastructure. If we want to produce world-class athletes, we must create world-class facilities and provide them with the best training. That is exactly what we are doing here,” Sarma remarked.
The ACA Cricket Academy will feature an indoor training hall that can accommodate 10 pitches, ensuring uninterrupted practice regardless of weather conditions. It will also engage both national and international coaches to provide advanced training to budding cricketers.
The GTC Football Academy, established by Guwahati’s oldest sporting club, aims to provide professional coaching, modern infrastructure, and a structured pathway for young footballers in the state.
Praising the initiative, the Chief Minister said, “The GTC Football Academy and ACA Cricket Academy are remarkable additions to our sports ecosystem. Our ultimate goal is to develop talent, and I believe these academies will play a pivotal role in shaping athletes who can compete at the highest levels.”
