The controversial Goa Players League (GPL) cricket tournament kicked off Friday, despite the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) calling the event 'illegal' in a statement Thursday evening.

"The outstation players who were participating in the tournament will not be allowed now. The BCCI's contention was that outstation players without the required NOCs should not be playing," Goa Cricket Association (GCA) secretary Prasad Fatarpekar told reporters here.