📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Depy Spyratos
Sports
Women's APL Launched to Strengthen Andhra Pradesh Cricket, Says Kesineni
✍️ Deccan Chronicle
🗓 17 Sep 2026, 06:38 AM
👁 12
Minister Kesineni announced the introduction of a Women's Andhra Pradesh Premier League aimed at developing the state's women's cricket.
The Andhra Pradesh government has approved a dedicated Women's Premier League (APL) to create a competitive platform for female cricketers in the state. The move comes amid growing calls to provide more opportunities for women athletes and to bridge the gap with the men's game.
The Women's APL is expected to feature six to eight franchise teams representing different districts, with matches scheduled to begin in the upcoming cricket season. Organisers plan to align the league with existing infrastructure, using stadiums such as the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam and other regional venues.
Speaking to the press, Minister Kesineni emphasized that the league will nurture local talent, attract sponsorship, and improve the overall standard of women's cricket in Andhra Pradesh. He added that the APL will also serve as a feeder system for national selections, giving promising players a clearer pathway to higher honors.
Stakeholders anticipate that the league will generate media interest, encourage grassroots participation, and stimulate economic activity around match days. The government has pledged financial and logistical support to ensure the league's successful launch.
The announcement marks a significant step toward gender parity in Indian cricket, aligning Andhra Pradesh with other states that have introduced similar women's competitions.
The Women's APL is expected to feature six to eight franchise teams representing different districts, with matches scheduled to begin in the upcoming cricket season. Organisers plan to align the league with existing infrastructure, using stadiums such as the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam and other regional venues.
Speaking to the press, Minister Kesineni emphasized that the league will nurture local talent, attract sponsorship, and improve the overall standard of women's cricket in Andhra Pradesh. He added that the APL will also serve as a feeder system for national selections, giving promising players a clearer pathway to higher honors.
Stakeholders anticipate that the league will generate media interest, encourage grassroots participation, and stimulate economic activity around match days. The government has pledged financial and logistical support to ensure the league's successful launch.
The announcement marks a significant step toward gender parity in Indian cricket, aligning Andhra Pradesh with other states that have introduced similar women's competitions.