WAPL Season 1 kicks off in Mangalagiri, Brahmani and Mithali unveil trophy

The inaugural season of the Women’s Andhra Premier League (WAPL), a T20 cricket tournament organized by the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) with the aim of unearthing talent among young female cricketers and paving their way to the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and the Indian women’s national team, kicked off at the ACA International Cricket Stadium in Mangalagiri on Saturday.

Chief guest Nara Brahmani, executive director of Heritage Foods, inaugurated the WAPL Season 1. She was accorded a grand welcome by MP and ACA president Kesineni Sivanath, along with Rajya Sabha MP and ACA secretary Sana Satish Babu. Subsequently, she unveiled the tournament trophy alongside former Indian women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj.

Speaking on the occasion, Nara Brahmani expressed her delight at participating in the inaugural ceremony of the Women’s Andhra Premier League (WAPL), noting that it offers a wonderful opportunity for women cricketers to showcase their talent. She remarked that these players would serve as role models for future generations and emphasized that female athletes excel remarkably when given the right opportunities. She also congratulated the ACA organizers for providing this platform to young women cricketers in Mangalagiri.

Former Indian women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj is serving as the brand ambassador for the WAPL. Four teams, Rayalaseema Zen Stars, Godavari Eagles, Amaravati E-Champions, and Vizag Firebirds, are competing in this T-20 tournament, which is the first of its kind in the state to follow a franchise-based model.

A total of 13 matches will be played over seven days at the ACA Cricket Stadium in Mangalagiri. The opening match between Rayalaseema Zen Stars and Godavari Eagles took place on Saturday afternoon, followed by the second match between Amaravati E-Champions and Vizag Firebirds in the evening.

The organizers honoured Nara Brahmani by presenting her with a special memento. Cultural programs organized as part of the event added to the occasion’s appeal. Kesineni Sivanath, Sana Satish Babu, APL Governing Council chairman Sujay Krishna Ranga Rao, Mithali Raj, ACA treasurer Dandamudi Srinivas, ACA Apex Council member D Vishnu Teja, ACA director of ricket operations Kalyan Krishna, and APL Governing Council member YS Ranganath participated in the event.