The Cricket Bat Manufacturers Association of Kashmir (CBMAK) have announced today that it is all set to pursue legal action against ‘SONY Entertainment Television’ and the participants in the Reality TV Show ‘Shark Tank India’ for making false and damaging claims about the Kashmir Cricket Bat Manufacturing industry.
While addressing the media persons today, President, CBMAK, Mr. Fayaz Ahmad Dar, Vice President and Spokesperson Mr. Fawzul Kabiir, along with all other members highlighted several misleading statements made during the Reality Show’s Season 3 episode aired on January 30, 2024 where in the participants namely Mr. Hamad Tramboo and Mr. Saad Tramboo representing Tramboo Kashmir Willow cricket bats claimed to be the pioneers in the Kashmir bat making industry, a statement that CBMAK strongly refutes.
CBMAK is a recognized amalgam body of all Cricket Bat Manufacturers in the Valley, formed to ensure the prosperity and welfare of its members. The bats manufactured by its members hold a unique identity and are widely recognized for their quality, being used by our valued customers spread across local, national and international markets including various noted star cricketers.
All the association members have shown deep concerns about the false claims made by the participants of the reality show of being the pioneers in the Kashmir Cricket bat making industry which is totally wrong. The individuals have created a misrepresentation via the show as manufacturers rather than stockists and dealers of Kashmir willow bats.
One more claim of being the first to take Kashmir Willow to the international cricket arena is totally false. In addition, distorted and baseless explanations of the bat-making process, specifically the exposure of clefts to the seasoning chambers to demean the hard work and patience of craftsmen of Kashmir valley.
Incorrect claims regarding international recognitions and milestones achieved by the Kashmir Willow bats made by other local bat manufacturers is also being seen as a point of serious concern. It is pertinent to mention here that one of the core members M/s. GR8 Sports India. Pvt. Ltd. is the first and only International Cricket Council (ICC) approved brand of Kashmir and the first one from the valley to take their cricket bats to the international cricket. The company has spearheaded the campaign in giving an alternative to the cricketers across the globe in the form of Kashmir willow in last three consecutive world cups. Many more indigenous brands of Kashmir have been offering cricket bats to the national and local cricketers include ALFA, AR, ARS, AS BS, BSI, Champion, Decent, FLS, Famous, F2, GLS, GHS HS, JK, KIS, MVS, NAS, ND, Shaheen, SLS, VW, ZS, among many others which the contestants deliberately rejected in the show saying there is no other brand in Kashmir except them.
The false assertions made during the ‘Shark Tank India’ episode have allegedly led to significant damage to CBMAK’s members, impacting their sales and tarnishing the industry’s image. The association contends that the misinformation has misled the general public and purchasers of its members’ products, causing a severe threat to the livelihoods of over 15000 individuals directly involved and over a lakh workers and craftsmen indirectly associated with the industry.
CBMAK calls on ‘SONY Entertainment Television’ to take ownership and responsibility for the content aired on its platform as the onus of its verification before telecasting lies on them thereby demand a public apology in the same tv show and compensation for the damages caused. The association asserts that they are already on course of legal proceedings and will take the fight to its logical conclusion.
