‘Sportspersons are messengers of peace, harmony’

Cricket bridges regional divide

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 24: There is euphoria of cricket world over and Jammu and Kashmir is no exception. And when there are stars like Manish Pandey, Krishnappa Gowtham and skippers Karun Nair and Parvez Rasool vying for the semifinal spot by battling it out in the historic quarterfinals hosted by J&K in the prestigious Ranji Trophy, then there is no better situation than this for the cricket lovers of the Union Territory.
“We are here to watch the cricket stars of the country and our local heroes in action. I have specially come from Lolab area of Kupwara district to watch the historic quarterfinal match of the Ranji Trophy Tournament. It was simply a delight to watch our local cricket stars giving some tough moments to their formidable counterparts from Karnataka. It is for the first time in my life that I have got the opportunity to watch such a big match in J&K in congenial atmosphere. There is a huge rush of spectators and one feels ecstatic to watch the proceedings,” said a Kupwara boy Adil Farooq while watching the match today.
He said it is always an advantage for the home team to perform before a big crowd supporting them, adding that cricket bridges regional divide and sportspersons are always messengers of peace and harmony.
Another young cricket enthusiast hailing from Kishtwar said that it is for the first time in last 50 years that a boy from Kishtwar ‘Henan’ is part of the J&K Ranji trophy team, adding that organisation of more such matches in the Union Territory, will go a long way in helping Jammu and Kashmir to produce a galaxy of players like Rasools, Kahajurias and Samads.
A cricket lover from RS Pura Jammu in a freewheeling chat with EXCELSIOR said after witnessing this match, he has firm belief that Jammu and Kashmir will soon succeed in hosting the bigger matches like IPL and International.
He said that a large number of spectators have come from even remotest areas of the Union Territory to watch this first ever Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match hosted by J&K.
Bashir Ahmed, a cricket lover from Reasi though complained about the proper seating arrangements for spectators, yet said that there could not have been better arrangements than this in such a short span of time.
He added that Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) should take initiatives to raise more cricketing infrastructure in the Union Territory, adding that cricket is like a religion to all the youth in present era.
A cricket enthusiast from a remote village in Rajouri district while expressing happiness over the arrangements made for the VIPs, former cricketers and all the spectators said that hosting of such matches in the Union Territory, apart from promoting sports and games is a step forward to promote tourism and bring peace and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir.
On the sidelines of the match, a group of spectators made an appeal to the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association and the Administration of J&K to take initiatives with regard to establishment of International cricket stadia in the Union Territory to help J&K boys make it to the International level.

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