KPL to be institutionalized to boost cricket in Kashmir
SRINAGAR: Today M
inister for Youth Services & Sports, Mr. R.S. Chib flagged of players of 3 esteemed teams including Sher-e-Dil, Kashmir University and Shah-e-Jahan who have already demonstrated their metal in recently held prestigious KPL tournament.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Chib appreciated role of Army particularly Corp Commander Lt. General Hasnain for taking keen interest in organizing various sports tournaments and playing like a catalyst to advance sports activities in the state.
Corp Commander informed that Rotary Club of Kolkata recently brought its team to Srinagar to play cricket match with players of Kashmir in the Valley.
The Minister said that it shall be in the interest of boosting tourism activities to frequently organize cricket tournaments which will provide vibrant platform to sports person. He agreed with the Corp Commander for institutionalizing Kashmir Primer League in the valley. He further said that steps have already been taken to start Jammu primer league on the same pattern.
The Minister said Kolkata tour for these cricketers has been organized with an aim to involve the youth of Jammu and Kashmir in national level sports events. He said that two decades of turbulence caused big loss to sports infrastructure which is being reconstructed anew by the coalition government. He said that the department is expanding latest sports infrastructure in the state by constructing stadia in nook and corner with focus on encouraging rural sports. He added that sports is a best medium to channelize energies of youth in a right perspective besides saving them from being caught in the web of social evils.
Mr. Chib lauded Army for making high profile Kashmir Premier League tournaments possible. He said that army’s support proved catalyst for enhancing cricket activities in the State. He expressed optimism that the army will continue their wholehearted support to the government for giving new dimensions to the sports profile of the state.
The Minister further said that the State is putting in place State of art sports infrastructure so that the national and international level sports events are organized in the State.
Spelling out the endeavors of the government in promoting sports in the state, the Minister said that recently a number of national level sports events were organized which included National School Games and national Matsogi championship. “The objective of the government of holding such events is to provide an opportunity to the sportspersons of the state to learn new techniques besides facilitating sharing of culture and traditions thus further cementing the bonds of love, brotherhood and toleranceâ€, he maintained.
He appreciated the department of Youth Services and Sports for completing sports complex in Raj Bagh in a record period of two years.
Speaking on the occasion, the Corp Commander said that Kashmir Primer League has proved real sports talent among youth of Kashmir. He said that in nooks and corners of the valley these e matches have been [played and KPL has enhanced the Corp image of Kashmir youth. He said that we will definitely continue our role in institutionalizing to make it an annual feature. He said that, with a view to boost the morale of our teams, both Minister for Sports and he himself are expected to attend the tournament to be played between Kashmiri boys and Kolkata boy’s at Kolkata.
This tour of the teams is a part of National Integration cum Sport tour to Kolkata and Chennai under Army’s Sadbhavna Programme of the army.
The touring Kashmir Premier League teams will play five matches each in Kolkata and Chennai.
Among others present were Director Information, Director Sports, Deputy Director YS&S and other civil and army officers and officials. (KMW News)
