CRYA Association drives growing cricket culture in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: Hyderabad's cricket scene is buzzing with energy as local communities unite to fuel the city’s growing passion for the sport. Cricket, the most popular sport in India, unites people across all age groups, from children to the elderly. Every Indian feels a sense of connection to cricket players, often seeing them as local heroes. Whether it’s a casual game in the streets or a professional match at a stadium, cricket is woven into the fabric of everyday life.
The Catholic Reddy Youth Association (CRYA) is leading efforts to unite cricket enthusiasts in Hyderabad. The association recently conducted the auction for the CRYA Cricket Premier League 2025 on January 9, 2025, at Golamari Farms in Moinabad. The event was attended by the chief guest, Shashi Kiran Reddy, the CRYA President, along with tournament sponsor Golamari Anthony Reddy.
Organized by Allam Nithin Reddy, CRYA aims to create a platform for youth to engage in the growing cricket culture in the city. Speaking to the Hyderabad Mail, Nithin explained that the tournament is set to begin on February 15, 2025, and will run through late March or early April, depending on the schedule. The auction saw varied prices for players, with the highest bid reaching 25,000 rupees and the lowest at 2,000 rupees.
The CRYA Cricket Premier League 2025 will feature 10 teams:
- Blessed Challengers (Owner: Thumma Joseph Sravan, Captain: Shamala Dheeraj)
- Design Walls (Owner: Thumma Sreekanth, Captain: Ambati Bala)
- Christ the King 11 (Owner: Bonam Sujith, Captain: Bonam Sujith)
- ELEV8EDGE (Owner: Boyapati Vinay, Captain: Thumma Manoj)
- Guardian Angels (Owner: TBR Manoj, Captain: Gali Sudheer)
- Holy Hitters (Owner: Kiran Thumma, Captain: Thumma Vishal)
- Brave Spirits (Owner: Boyapati Sandeep, Captain: Mahesh)
- AB's Predators (Owners: Kolli Bharath, Kolli Sharath, Kolli Akhil, Captain: Vinod)
- Rayolina Strikers (Owner: Golamari Anthony Reddy, Captain: Kishore)
- Dhatri Dragons (Owner: L. Rajesh, Captain: L. Rajesh)
Nithin highlighted the association’s goal to promote unity through cricket, with players coming from various locations to form teams, similar to the IPL format. Each team has different owners, and the auction system mirrors that of professional leagues.
“We want to bring people together and create a sense of community through cricket,” said Nithin. “This is more than just a game; it’s about unity and creating lasting connections.”
The rise of cricket culture in the outskirts of Hyderabad is noteworthy, with more cricket grounds being built and available for rent. Youth in the city are increasingly interested in creating opportunities for themselves to play the sport, and this growing enthusiasm is helping to build a new generation of cricket lovers.