The Indian Gramin Cricket League (IGCL) tournament kicked off on Sunday at Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav’s hometown in the ongoing Saifai Mahotsav in Etawah.

Yadav said, "IGCL will promote the game of cricket in the rural areas of the country and give chance to the rural talents." He said Indian Gramin Cricket League was the beginning of something with a difference. "It consumes less time and energy and is full of fun," he said.

"IGCL will be connected to other states at national level in near future. Everybody will be pleasantly surprised as the tournament goes on," Yadav said. He pledged support to IGCL in future. "Obviously the rural players are not the current stars. It will take time for them to shine."

The opening ceremony was watched by celebrities, politicians and rural folks. IGCL chairman Anurag Bhadauria said the tournament would be played till January 7 in which 16 teams, including those from West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand will take part.