Omar inaugurates KPL, says should continue

Srinagar: Expressing satisfaction over the organizing of the first ever Kashmir Premier League (KPL) cricket tournament by Army, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that the tournament should not be abandoned in future so that it creates an impression that it was organized to avoid another summer of unrest in Kashmir.“I hope this tournament prospers and succeeds in future. I urge GOC Hasnian that this tournament should continue in future as well. It should not vanish from next year. The people will presume that this tournament was not for our boys, cricket or their future but was organized to avoid the turbulence this year, because the situation was not good for the last three summers. This will also be cheating for the players,” Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, said while inaugurating the KPL league at the Delhi Public School (DPS) school here on Monday morning.Minister for Medical, Technical Education and Youth Services & Sports, Mr R S Chib, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Srinagar based 15 Corps, Lt Gen Syed Atta Hasnain, Director General of police (DGP), Kuldeep Khoda and senior government, Army and police officers were present on this occasion.“This tournament should be held every year so that our players are benefitted,” he added.The tournament organized, jointly by Army and Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) is being attended by at least 14 teams from 10 districts of the valley.Chief Minister said that he was happy to inaugurate the KPL league but was disheartened that no Kashmiri player has made it to the Indian Premier league. Kashmiri cricketers, he said, don’t get much opportunities and exposure.“A Kashmiri cricketer struggled to make it to the national cricket team but the confrontation between IPL and ICL left him in a lurch,” he said.Chief Minister assured the government will do all to extent all possible facilities to the cricketers of the state.He also asked the players to strengthen the bonds of friendship during the cricket matches.“Winning or losing is a different question. When you come into the field, you should strengthen the bonds of friendship with other cricketers. These are the beautiful things that will stay with you forever,” he said.