LEVELLING THE PLAYING FIELD

An increasing number of tournaments being held across Kashmir, mostly by the youth by raising donations from their pocket money, is offering the new generation more opportunities to play, improve, grow and understand, reports Shakir Ashraf

- Shakir Ashraf

Irfan Ahmed Lone, a young and energetic youth from North Kashmir was hunting for a job for months. One fine day, the disappointed Lone sat in an orchard, crushing fallen leaves of trees. A man passed close to him and yelled: “Irfan, If you are free, accompany me to my shop”. When Lone lifted his gaze towards the person, it turned out his uncle, who has a repairing shop in a nearby village. Lone stood up, cleaning dust from his pheran and started working as his uncle’s apprentice.

He was desperate for some cash, not to run his family but to participate in a local cricket tournament. The tournament would offer the winner Rs 60,000 and a trophy, and Rs 20,000 to the runner-up.

At Pazipora (Kupwara) the tournaments are periodically organized in which 32 teams participate and each team has to pay Rs 6000 as a fee. Each player has to contribute about Rs 600. The news of this tournament spread like wildfire.

Teams from nearby and far-flung areas showed their interest. Lone worked with his uncle for two days and earned Rs 1000. He paid cricket fee and bought a uniform.

“For a passionate cricketer it does not matter how much is the fee,” Lone said. “What actually matters is his passion and love towards the game.”

The participating teams need cricket kits and uniform. “Our players contributed from pocket money and bought cricket kit and uniform which almost cost Rs 20,000,” said Danish Ahmed, captain of Chinar Cricket Club.

A CRICKETING YEAR