What’s the story?
The state of Jammu and Kashmir has taken a decisive step towards grooming the young talents in the state as the “State Cricket Academy” began its operation today at Srinagar’s Bakshi stadium. The first coaching camp being held at the stadium will be for children below the age of 16.
Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council secretary Waheed ur Rehman Parra, who inaugurated the program on Tuesday felt that such a facility was long overdue.
Speaking to Kashmir Observer, about the program, Parra quipped, “After receiving the nod from Hon’ble Chief minister, the President of the Sports Council and Hon’ble Minister for Youth Service and Sports, Molvi Imran Reza Ansari, it (academy) has finally taken off.”
In case you didn’t know...
Parveen Rasool is the only player from the state of Jammu and Kashmir to have played for the Indian national team. The off-spinner, who has appeared in one ODI and one T20I for India has also featured for three different teams in the IPL where he last played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in last year’s edition.
The heart of the matter
Mubashir Hassan, the Director and head coach of the SCA reiterated that his team will focus on overall development of the players and not produce only “one- trick ponies”.
Hassan, who is a BCCI licensed coach and a former J&K first-class cricketer asserted that this facility will look to nurture cricketers at the grassroots level and be a nursery for cricketers, who he hopes will perform on a much bigger stage in the days to come.
What’s next?
The first coaching camp for the U-16 cricketers in being held at a makeshift arrangement with the Sports Council still working on the facilities at the academy. However, as per the reports from the Sports Council, the construction work for the same will be done at a rapid pace and we can soon see an academy with all the modern facilities with includes turf as well as cemented wickets in addition to all the other basic necessities.
Author’s take
After being mired in controversy for the most of the recent past, the state of Jammu and Kasmir has finally something to smile about. And it’s no surprise that sports lead the way to smiles again. The valley is known to have a passion for sports and it’s time India taps into the potential on offer within the state.
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