*Terms League as good as International Cricket
Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, Dec 19: Vice Captain of Bangladesh Women National Team, Shakhira Jakir Jesy is on Tour to the City of Temples in connection with her participation in the ongoing historic Chief Minister’s T20 Premier League, being organized by the Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council in collaboration with JKP, Home Guards, Civil Defence and SDRF at Parade Ground, here. Apart from being an ace cricketer, Shakhira has the distinction of doing over one thousand TV Show’s as Anchor, Cricket Commentator, Jockey and Cricket Analyst. In an exclusive interview with this Correspondent, Shakhira talked about her achievements, about this cricketing extravaganza, besides hospitality in Jammu and Kashmir.
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Excerpts:
Q. You are presently the Vice Captain of Bangladesh National Cricket team. When from you are representing your Country at the International scene?
A. I feel privileged in informing you that I am playing for the Bangladesh Cricket team, since National team’s debut at the International scene in the year 2007-08. I would love to serve my country as long as I can.
Q. You are in Jammu in connection with CM’s T20 Premier League. How do you feel to be part of this mega event?
A. It is an ecstatic rather blissful feeling to be part of this cricketing extravaganza for women, which, I came to know is the initiative of none other than the Chief Minister of the State, Mehbooba Mufti herself. It is a proud feeling not only for me but for all the participants of the League to witness Sports Minister of the State, Imran Raza Ansari and top brass cops of the State involved in this mega event, besides the organizing team of Secretary State Sports Council, Waheed-Ur-Rehman Parra, Ranjeet Kalra, Rajesh Gill and the people like you. To me this is as good as an international event and I hope seeing the events like this, which is analogous to Indian Premier League (IPL), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would be lured towards holding IPL for women cricketers also. The inaugural function of the event was simply a delight to watch. Unquestionably a mega event!
Q. Please comment on the highlights of your career?
A. I emerged best performer for my country in the Asia Cup 2008, wherein big cricketing countries like India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka took part. I was part of the Bangladesh team that won silver medal in mega cricket event in China, besides being the part of the National team after it was crowned with the ODI status. I have the reputation of being a tough all-rounder at the domestic circuit in Bangladesh.
Q. Would you like to differentiate between playing at the International Level and the tournaments like this?
A. Yes, as I already said that playing in this tournament is like playing at the International level as far as the facilities, hype and health of the game is concerned. You see International players, besides players who had been in India Camps, participating in this tournament. So, what else you need. The events like this apart from providing opportunity to the players to hone their skill and talent, also helps them to have cultural exchange by being with their counterparts from other states and countries. The boarding and lodging arrangements are almost as good as at the International level. I wish more and more such events are organized for giving fillip to women cricketers across Asia.
Q. Who are your favorite male and female cricketers?
A. It is none other than iconic Sachin Tendulkar as far as my favourite male cricketer is concerned and my favourite female cricketer is Mithali Raj, who has done remarkably well for India at the International level. She is simply a class act when on song.
Q. Any message for women cricketers of J&K?
A. Though, I am not fully knowledgeable about the skill of women cricketers in Jammu and Kashmir and the system of running women cricket here, yet I observed that the young players are talented and need patting and patronage for blossoming at the higher levels. I would like to tell them that the ‘mantra’ to do well at the bigger circuit is dedication, devotion and determination, besides not missing the opportunities coming their way. Talent without opportunity is nothing.
Q. People talk about gender equality. Are women at par with men in the present era?
A. It was an amazing feeling when I heard the Sports Minister of Jammu and Kashmir during his address in the inaugural function saying that “We are committed to translate the ‘phrase’ of gender equality into reality”. Women, no doubt, are at par with men in most of the fields not to talk of sports field only, yet there is lot of scope for women empowerment. The organization of the events like CM’s T20 Premier League are going a long way in promoting women empowerment. Presently, women do participate lavishly in sporting activities, which was hardly custom earlier.
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