The 28th edition of The Hindu FIC–ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) India Cricket Trophy, organised in association with the Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association (VDCA), got under way at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Thursday (May 7, 2026).
Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) Commissioner N. Tej Bharath, who attended the event as chief guest, congratulated The Hindu and AM/NS India for conducting the tournament for nearly three decades.
“Along with academics, overall personality development is very important,” he said, adding that sports played a role in nurturing emotional intelligence, resilience and leadership qualities among children. He said attitudes towards sports had changed over the years, with more parents now encouraging children to take part in games alongside academics.
Responding to a request for a multipurpose stadium, Mr. Tej Bharath said, “Recently, we sanctioned ₹10 crore for a sports village on six acres in Gajuwaka. It will have a cricket stadium, basketball and volleyball courts, an indoor badminton court, and an amphitheatre. We also want to build a world-class multipurpose stadium, but land is a constraint. A stadium of that scale would require about 50 acres. If the government provides land, we are keen to take it up.”
The tournament features 16 teams, including City Police, APEPDCL, East Coast Railway, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Royal CC and Vizag Colts, representing Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and East Godavari districts. Matches will be played at the Railway Grounds, Zinc Grounds and ACA-VDCA Grounds. The inaugural match was played between Modamamba and Royal CC at the ACA-VDCA Stadium.
VMRDA Commissioner N. Tej Bharath at the ceremonial toss during the inauguration of the 28th edition of The Hindu FIC–AM/NS India Cricket Trophy at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. Sumit Bhattacharjee, Chief of Bureau, Andhra Pradesh, The Hindu, is also seen. | Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak
D.S. Varma, Head – HR, Vizag Asset, AM/NS India, said the tournament had nurtured several cricketers and had become one of the most popular cricketing events in the region. “We started this tournament with a good intention to develop the game, and it will continue as long as VDCA and The Hindu are there in Visakhapatnam,” he said.
Chief of Bureau, Andhra Pradesh, The Hindu, Sumit Bhattacharjee, described it as one of the premier cricket tournaments in the district and the State. “Top cricketers who have played or are playing for the country, like Nitish Kumar Reddy and K.S. Bharat, have played in this tournament,” he said, adding that the event also gave children attending summer coaching camps an opportunity to watch experienced players in action.
VDCA secretary Pardha Saradhi and ACA ground in-charge J.K.M. Raju were among those present. After addressing the gathering, Mr. Tej Bharath interacted with the players, took part in the ceremonial toss and spent time on the pitch with the bat.