The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) on Saturday officially launched the Assam Premier League (APL), marking a significant milestone in the state's sporting landscape and opening a new chapter for domestic cricket in Assam.
The league was formally unveiled during a grand ceremony held at the 91 Yards Club Auditorium at the ACA Stadium in Barsapara, Guwahati. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the event as the Chief Guest and officially unveiled the league's logo, trophy and the identities of the eight participating franchises.
The launch ceremony was also attended by BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia as the Guest of Honour, along with ACA President Taranga Gogoi, ACA Secretary Sanatan Das, franchise owners, cricket administrators and members of Assam's cricketing fraternity.
The event began with a welcome address by Assam Premier League Chairperson Rajdeep Oja, who outlined the vision behind the tournament. He described the league as a long-term initiative aimed at creating a professional and sustainable platform for emerging cricketers while raising the overall standard of domestic cricket in the state.
The Assam Premier League has been conceived as a structured, home-grown competition designed to provide regular competitive opportunities for local players and strengthen the talent pipeline feeding Assam's senior and age-group teams.
One of the major announcements during the launch was that matches of the inaugural edition will be broadcast live on Star Sports and streamed on JioHotstar, providing statewide and national visibility to players participating in the competition.
The ceremony also witnessed the unveiling of the eight franchises that will compete in the inaugural season:
Jorhat Stallions
Tezpur Titans
Dibrugarh Warriors
Barak Legends
Nagaon Rangers
Barpeta Braves
Guwahati Royals
Charaideo Sunrisers
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the launch of the league as a defining moment for cricket in Assam.
“Cricket occupies a special place in the hearts of the people of Assam, and the launch of the Assam Premier League represents a defining moment for the sport in our state. This initiative will provide a dedicated platform for talented young cricketers to showcase their abilities and pursue their aspirations at the highest level,” Sarma said.
He added that the league belongs to the people of Assam and expressed confidence that it would emerge as one of the country's most impactful state-level cricket competitions in the coming years.
BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia said the Board has consistently encouraged the growth of strong domestic cricket structures and noted that the Assam Premier League would significantly strengthen the state's cricket ecosystem.
“Assam possesses immense cricketing potential, and a platform of this nature will help talented players gain valuable competitive exposure,” Saikia said while congratulating the Assam Cricket Association for the initiative.
He also thanked Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his role in helping transform Assam into an emerging sporting destination in India.
The unveiling of the APL logo, trophy and franchise identities marks the first major step toward the inaugural season of the tournament. The Assam Cricket Association is expected to announce further details regarding the player auction, tournament schedule and competition format in the coming weeks.
With strong institutional backing, national broadcast coverage and participation from teams representing different regions of the state, the Assam Premier League is expected to play a key role in nurturing local talent and elevating Assam's presence on the Indian cricketing map.
