CPCL 2025: Community Policing Cricket League Begins in Pune to Boost Police–Public Partnership
Shivajinagar, 5th December 2025: The Community Policing Cricket League (CPCL) 2025 kicked off in Pune on Friday to strengthen cooperation and trust between citizens and the police through sports.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) Ranjan Kumar Sharma inaugurated the tournament at the Police Ground in Shivajinagar in the presence of DCP (Zone 1) Krushikesh Rawale, DCP (Headquarters) Rajlaxmi Shivankar, and Journalist Sumit Singh Memorial Foundation’s Amit Singh, Mubarak Ansari, Shailendra Singh, Lalit Kumar, Aniket Dhamale and Mohammad Saif.
The event also saw the presence of Subedar Sant Kumar Singh (Retd), father of late journalist Sumit Kumar Singh, in whose memory the tournament has been organised.
The three-day tournament will follow a knockout format, with matches scheduled for Friday and Saturday, while the final will be held on Sunday.
Speaking at the launch, Jt CP Sharma said the league represents a positive step toward community engagement. He noted, “Sports bring people together. When citizens and police play as one team, it builds trust, understanding, and cooperation beyond uniforms.”
Amit Singh, President of the Journalist Sumit Singh Memorial Foundation, said the initiative is inspired by late journalist Sumit Kumar Singh. “Sumit strongly believed in community-driven policing. Through this tournament, we carry forward his vision of bridging gaps and promoting harmony,” he said.
Supporting partners include Nyati Group as the Co-sponsor, Bajaj General Insurance as the Insurance Partner, Cybage Software as the Merchandise Partner, and Ways as a Support Partner.
Mubarak Ansari, Co-Founder and Managing Editor of Punekar News, said sports offer a unique space for stronger ties. “This league reflects how community engagement can go beyond dialogue and happen on the field — with teamwork, respect, and shared purpose,” he said.
Sumit Kumar Singh was a dedicated journalist who played a pivotal role in shaping Punekar News into a leading digital news platform in Pune. As Bureau Chief, he was widely respected for his strong reporting on crime, civic affairs, and public concerns. His extensive network across government departments, police and civic agencies ensured accurate and timely information for citizens. Colleagues often described him as the backbone of the newsroom, a professional who brought both credibility and energy to journalism.
Originally from Deoria district in Uttar Pradesh, Sumit moved to Pune for higher studies and made the city his workplace and home. His sudden demise in August 2024 at the age of 35 due to acute necrotizing pancreatitis left a deep void in the media fraternity. Officials and fellow journalists remembered him as a hardworking reporter committed to public service through news. His contribution continues to remain an integral part of Punekar News’ identity and growth.
The league features teams representing different communities and police units, with trophies and medals to be awarded on the final day as the city celebrates sportsmanship and safer neighbourhoods.
