Srinagar: Emphasising on the up-gradation of existing and new sports infrastructure, Secretary Sports Council, Nuzhat Gull accompanied by a team of Engineers and officials visited several stadiums and Indoor Sports Complexes to monitor the progress of various ongoing works where she gave on spot directions for early completion of pending projects with an eye on the scope for future development.
Earlier in the morning, Gull visited Multipurpose Indoor Sports Hall, Nilan Drussu, Bhijbehara Anantnag to inspect the progress of various works for the early inauguration of the sports facility. Gull gave on-spot directions to the Divisional Sports Officer (K) for early supply and installation of sports equipment, fixture, and furniture at the earliest.
The attraction of the day was the inauguration of the first of its kind Cricket Academy in South Kashmir. The academy is the outcome of the vision of Nuzhat Gull who ensured that all necessary equipment and gears are sanctioned to this new unit, which has the potential to cater to the fleet of budding cricketers in and around South Kashmir.
Divulging the details, Gull said that the academy will be run in a makeshift arrangement put in place at Boys Government Higher Secondary School Bhijbehara on professional lines by the ace cricketer Parveez Rasool. However, Gull said the academy shall be soon shifted to the newly laid Sports Complex in Nilan Drussu within three months and the concerned Engineer has been directed to respect the deadline and hand over the facility complete in all respects.
While interacting with the academy trainees, Nuzhat Gull said that she intends to make this unit hub of cricket activities and assured of all her support. Speaking on the occasion Nuzhat Gull said that she will advocate for the inclusion of this cricket academy in PMDP and thus pave the way for setting up of the first Khelo India Centre for Cricket in J&K. The Secretary Sports Council also handed over coaching and training equipment besides other cricket gears to trainees.
Trainees who were overwhelmed during their interaction with the Secretary Sports Council vowed to reciprocate by proving their mettle in the academy and future cricketing endeavours. Youngest trainee, 9-year-old cricketer Misbah Hilal promised to work hard as he aspires to play for the national team like his coach and mentor Parveez Rasool.
The inauguration of the cricket academy was followed by the throwing open of Sports Nursery in Play Filed Pahalgam. Gull said this was a long pending demand of sportsperson of the area which led to setting up of first such initiative to reach out to the talent in peripheries and nurture them under the tutelage of professional coaches. Secretary, Sports Council had directed the in-charge of Pahalgam playfield to register the trainees for different sports disciplines enabling them to be part of different coaching camps. Nuzhat Gull interacted with registered players and also distributed sports gears and equipment.
The Secretary Sports Council gave on-spot directions to the engineering team for levelling of the playfield and laying of volleyball court on modern lines.
The day-long tour concluded with a visit to Cricket Stadium Seer Hamdan where she interacted with various sports activists and players. Players requested for laying of turf wicket to which the Secretary Sports Council responded in affirmative. She also directed the concerned Engineering team for proper levelling of the playfield.
Secretary was accompanied by Executive Engineer Hilal Ahmad, Junior Engineer Ishfaq Ahmad besides other officials of the Sports Council.
