Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 16: Women cricketers from all over Asia including International players from Bangladesh and Nepal have gathered in the City of Temples in connection with the Chief Minister’s T20 Premier League, being jointly organized by the State Cricket Academy (J&K State Sports Council) in collaboration with JKP, Home guards and Civil defence and SDRF.
An endeavour to promote participation of girls in sports arena, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, who is also the president of Sports Council, last year, had initiated same kind of intra region tournament for girls to inculcate and promote sports enthusiasm in girls.
Minister for Information Technology, Technical Education, and Youth Services, Moulvi Imran Raza Ansari inaugurated the event with the unveiling of Trophy and releasing of fixture in an impressive, well attended and colourful function at Police Auditorium, Gulshan ground, here.
A total of eight teams will be viewing for the top honours in this cricketing extravaganza.
The Minister was accompanied by a galaxy of dignitaries on the occasion.
IGP Jammu, Dr SD Singh and Vice-Chairman Sports Council Jammu and member BCCI, Ranjeet Kalra were present on the occasion.
Complementing the spirit of players, the Minister said that taking part in sports activities is a game changing movement and a step towards women empowerment.
The Minister said that this is perhaps a first of its kind event in the state in which players from other countries are participating. This will help in promotion of sports culture and will also boost the sports spirit among the women players of state in particular, adding that the events like this are a step forward towards Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s tweat, “Why can’t we make J&K a model state for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)? We must work towards this”. “The event will also help players to have cultural exchange while being with the players from other States and Countries,” added the Minister.
The Minister reiterated that government is committed in promotion of sports culture for women in the state throughout the year and this event is an opportunity for the girls in the state to host as well to learn from the international players.
“We are committed in translating the phrase of gender equality into reality and will provide every feasible support for them to harness their hidden potential,”Ansari added.
Ansari also hailed the civic action programmes of the J&K Police for conducting the sports activities and working tirelessly for the peace and tranquility of the state.
Giving slogan ‘Hindustan Zindabad’, Ansari said that these women cricketers can become the messengers of peace who will take message of peace and harmony in the state across the country.
He said the team from J&K will get exposure from international players, which will boost their morale and inspire them to make mark at national and international scene.
In the inaugural match, Srinagar Queens will lock horns with Rajasthan Scorchers at 11:30 am tomorrow.
The participating teams include Srinagar Queens, Delhi Angels, Rajasthan Scorers and Chennai Sharks (all in Pool A); Jammu Princess, Mumbai Mermaids, Kolkata Flamingos and Punjab Birds (all in Pool B).
During interaction with the dignitaries, the captains and coaches of all the participating teams lavished praise on the organizers for holding this awe-inspiring event.
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