Agartala, December 17, 2025: Tipra Motha Party founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma on Wednesday urged the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) to appoint state cricketer Manisankar Murasingh as its brand ambassador, stressing the need to recognise and promote local talent.

Debbarma said the appeal reflected a broader concern that achievers from Tripura are often overlooked while recognition is sought from outside. Referring to Murasingh, he remarked that society frequently fails to acknowledge “the diamond within its own home” despite the presence of capable and accomplished individuals.

Murasingh, a 32-year-old all-rounder who represents Tripura in domestic cricket, recently went unsold in the Indian Premier League auction. Debbarma said this should not undermine the cricketer’s stature or influence, describing him as a role model for aspiring sportspersons. He cautioned that failure to honour local players could weaken motivation among the youth to pursue sports.

Clarifying his position, Debbarma said his remarks were not directed against the state government’s decision to appoint former India captain Sourav Ganguly as Tripura’s brand ambassador. Calling it a positive step, he said he holds Ganguly in high regard, but emphasised that such decisions should not come at the expense of recognising homegrown talent.

He pointed out that Tripura has abundant talent in sports, music and the arts, and questioned the rationale of spending public funds on personalities from outside the state while neglecting local achievers. Debbarma said he has formally requested the TTAADC to appoint Murasingh as its brand ambassador and suggested extending institutional support if the cricketer plans to set up a cricket academy in the state.

Drawing a parallel with earlier demands for Secured Indian Reservation, Debbarma said recognition often comes only when ideas are endorsed from outside, and asserted that this mindset needs to change to ensure respect and support for local people.