Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA)’s international stadium complex in Dhurwa is gearing up to host a domestic T20 tournament next month following a nod from the state government on Wednesday night, officials informed on Thursday.

JSCA mandarins added that they have now sent a proposal to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for hosting its domestic T20 meet from September 10-27. If the BCCI allows, JSCA will arguably be the first cricketing body in the country to kick-off the game after about five months since nationwide lockdown was imposed in the wake of the coronavirus.

JSCA’s secretary Sanjay Sahay on Thursday confirmed about the approval. “The state government has okayed our proposal for hosting the T20 tournament next month. We have started preparations and sent a formal communiqué to BCCI for its nod too. We shall be adhering to all the safety norms prescribed by BCCI, and those that are issued from the state and central governments in regard to sporting activities,” he said.

Another JSCA official said that the annual T20 event, represented by over half a dozen teams from different district affiliates, will be sans any spectators. “We plan to keep all players and technical officials in the stadium complex all through the tournament and no outsider will be allowed to enter the stadium. As per the norms, Each and every player and staff will get the . During the period of tournament, we shall suspend all other works/activities at the stadium to plug any unwanted human movements,” said another official.

Notably, on June 25, state government had allowed opening of all stadiums allowing sporting activities sans any spectators. It also prescribed hosts of dos and donts. However, with majority of the stadiums at mega sports complex in Hotwar converted as covid care centres, all sporting activities there remains suspended. Other stadiums too owned by the state government remains sans any action as the sports department hasn’t come up with detailed standard operating procedures for the sports bodies to allow them to resume the games. However, any player is free to individually resume practice/training.