Sikkim Cricket Ground Sparkles with New LED Floodlights

Sikkim Cricket Ground at Mining has taken a significant leap in the world of sports by installing new LED floodlights. It is a historic development for the state since it is the first time the ground will be able to host matches under light. The new lighting facility was inaugurated in a ceremonial function conducted on May 18. This is feasible for the state of Sikkim since it can now organize day-night cricket matches and offer live telecasts of the best quality to viewers, which was not possible otherwise. The facility was funded entirely by the Government of Sikkim at a budget of Rs 12.2 crore and executed by the Sikkim Cricket Association (SICA).

Installation of floodlights started in December 2024 and was done by April 18, 2025. Installation includes four high masts of 44-meter height. There are 64 powerful LED lights in each of the masts, making 256 lights in total. The power used per light is 1.2 kilowatts, and they collectively provide an amazing 2800 lux level of illumination to the cricket ground. This is a far higher intensity than typically required for television-crafted cricket matches. The lights will help the players perform better during night games and also help television commentators to produce clear and sharp images for fans at home.

The launch ceremony was attended by many dignitaries, including Chief Justice of the High Court of Sikkim Justice Biswanath Somadder. There were also present cabinet ministers, MLAs, the Chief Secretary, and high officials. It was a proud moment for all involved in Sikkim cricket.

The president of Sikkim Cricket Association, Tika Subba, thanked the state government and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for their support. He mentioned how the poor lighting of the cricket stadium was a long-standing problem. This made it hard to schedule the matches and adversely affected the level of play. With the floodlights in place now, Sikkim cricket will have an excellent enhancement in both infrastructure and visibility. The manufacturer gives the floodlights a five-year guarantee, and they require minimal maintenance. Therefore, the investment will continue to benefit players and fans for years.

A ceremonial cricket match was played between two sides, SICA President XI and Chief Secretary XI, to mark the occasion. The Chief Secretary XI came in first and made 121 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their 20 overs. The SICA President XI then chased successfully in 19.4 overs with five wickets in hand. This match was an enjoyable way to introduce the new lights and demonstrate how night games can now be played at the Sikkim Cricket Ground.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has discussed the project and revealed that this development will be a huge step forward for the game in Sikkim. He also shared some exciting news that the state is preparing for a possible visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The date that has been finalized is May 29, though this has yet to be confirmed. The Chief Minister informed a series of meetings already took place to organize the Prime Minister's visit.

The new LED floodlights will not only help Sikkim host more cricket tournaments but also encourage the young players of the state to give the sport serious consideration. It is expected that through more light and facilities, Sikkim cricket will gain popularity and be more popular with the cricket lovers in India. The new lights also offer the potential for matches that commence in late afternoon and last through evening, which can generate more spectators and interest in the games.

Before the installation of these floodlights, the matches were unable to be played on the cricket field in the daytime because the light was not bright enough. This limited the number of matches being able to be played and even created greater challenges in organizing tournaments or events that needed live TV coverage. With the installation of floodlights, all of these problems are solved and the field is prepared for international cricket facility levels.

The project is a strong reflection of the work that the Government of Sikkim is doing towards upgrading sport infrastructure in the state. The backing of BCCI is also a sign that cricket in Sikkim is not being underestimated and that everything possible is being done to grow the sport at all levels. Players, coaches, and followers alike are all excited with such progress happening in their home state.

Briefly, the purchase of the high-mast LED floodlights for the Sikkim Cricket Ground is something to be proud of for the state. It creates fresh opportunities for cricket matches in the evening and will help to promote the game at the national as well as local level. This revolutionary change also promises numerous more developments for Sikkim sports infrastructure and holds hope for young sportsmen who want to make it big. The beaming lights are not merely hardware – they represent the bright future of cricket in Sikkim.