KKR to sponsor inter-school Mayor's Cup

Kolkata, Mar 13 (PTI) Two-time Indian Premier League champions Kolkata Knight Riders has decided to sponsor Cricket Association of Bengal's (CAB) U-16 inter-school tournament for the Mayor's Cup.

Teams from 44 schools will compete across eight venues at the Maidan in the 45-over competition commencing March 15, with the final scheduled at Eden Gardens to be attended by KKR team members.

"It's a premiere inter-school tournament. The fact that KKR has decided to sponsor this Cup shows their commitment to cricket at grassroots level in the region. We appreciate this effort," former India captain and CAB President Sourav Ganguly stated in a release.

CAB joint secretary Avishek Dalmiya hoped for more involvement from KKR in future.

"Tournaments like Mayor's Cup go a long way in scouting talents at the junior level. KKR's decision to associate themselves with this event shows how serious they are about developing cricket in this region. We hope to see them being involved more with local cricket in the region," Avishek said.

Conducted in honour of the Kolkata Mayor, the Mayor's Cup provides young cricketing talent of the city a platform to showcase their skills.

"KKR's vision for this tournament is to encourage and develop young talent in Kolkata and West Bengal. We would hope that this initiative with the support of the Mayor's office and CAB will create enough excitement among the young and budding cricketers of Kolkata," KKR CEO Venky Mysore said.

"There is significant incentive built in for the young cricketers and the school teams, which is bound to make this a very competitive tournament