Although Cricket is not a national game of India but there are millions of cricket game lover in India. This game is also played in each and every district of Jammu and Kashmir. It proud for me that our soil gave birth to Usman Malik and Parvaz Ghulam Rasool Zargar and both are selected for Indian Cricket team.In our Union Territory Cricket’ the vocal sound invokes a sense of affinity in the minds of the populace of Indian subcontinent. Who can believe cricket has its roots in England for the fervour, excitement, cheer it brings, tears rolling down from the fans face in the finishing movements followed by grand boisterous pyrotechnic gala celebrations. Cricket touches all the elements of a human’s emotion for it definitely generates volumes of feelings more than the classic English soap opera. And what’s special about cricket is it connects every strata of community from the rookie street cricket kid for all that he needs is a piece of willow and a rubber ball to play his heart out with fellow lads to the celebrated international cricketers traded in millions in the rich IPL. In sum, cricket is a religion in the subcontinent. Cricket in Jammu and Kashmir is no less a sport for its passion prevails which is evident in every mohallah where the youth is seen playing in the fields, built up areas and confined spaces to eclectic exuberance. Cricket propagates unity in diversity transcending topography, culture and language for it is the sport which brings forth the youthfulness and culminates. But as we all know there is hordes of resistance from the Kashmiri separatists’ as they try to propagate anti national sentiments through this wonderful game which restrains its growth to only logarithmic levels within valley; the enormous skill of Kashmiri youth cricketers gets subdued often going unnoticed as the exponential growth of cricket in other parts of nation remains unconnected with them. Owing to the fear of extremism and indulgence of anti national activities by certain radicalised elements even parents of Kashmiri children try to contain their kid’s cricket’s enthusiasm. Well to propagate this sport in spite of such resistance in the valley a road map is the need of the hour for it can play an almost therapeutic role as it can allow the masses to adopt cricket with unbridled passion and in its true sentiments discarding the dreary separatism, radicalism and Islamic idealism. A Suggestive road map
A suggestive road map has been attempted for encouraging the rise of cricket in the Kashmir valley
Insulate Cricket Activity from Religious Fanaticism: Well this may seem easy to quote but it is an arduous task for the valley has been ingrained with religious fanatic ideologies since decades. There have been instances in the past where in talented cricketing skills were lured into the clutches of terrorism by fanatic baseless ideologies leading to loss of their precious life in the name of jihad. Hence, the first step would be to make cricket insulate from such religious fanaticism. This can be done by positive ways such as channelizing the youth preference and their mindset towards institutions like cricket academies. They can be made attractive and imbibe sportive spirit by ensuring sanctum sanctorum sporting skills with the right blend of a complementary vocational technical education. Already the Rashtriya Rifles and Indian Army in the hinterland are doing a yeoman service by promoting and including local youth in cricket tournaments, other sporting activities and admitting them in vocational training institutes for the benefit of the youth of the valley. Simultaneously options such as necessary financial help can be rendered as scholarship, stipend and supportive remuneration to the youth of Kashmir if they can pick up the sport full time
Addressing Conflict of Interests with the Youth of Community
By promoting a culture of respect, acceptance and pluralism with a focus on peace, non-violence and social cohesion much reprieve to the young minds of Kashmir can be addressed, conferred and achieved as they will imbibe a feeling of belongingness. By imparting increased empathy and understanding among youth by facilitating dialogue and indulging them in sports related activities we can empower such youth’s role and responsibility within their communities by assisting them in launching meaningful action-oriented community-based sports projects such as establishing sports club or even academies in their own community for their own benefit.
Communication, Networking, Coordination: Such cricket academies can be networked with our countries other agencies such as Sports Authority of India, and other meaningful sports federations. On a pilot basis necessary representation can be encouraged from this garnered cricketing skill of the valley from such academies to interstate tournaments and first class cricket matches. If this approach seems workable we can establish similar nodes in the remotest of district in the valley to facilitate cricket and so on. Well the already proactive Rashtriya Rifles integral force is already acting as a catalyst through Op Sadbhavna and other programmes in its promoting sports.
Revitalise the Existing Cricket Infrastructure Through Performance based Reforms: The present J&K cricket association is in a very dilapidated situation with a long list of demands for fulfilment. Such demands can be met after a thorough audit of their financial, economical and political resources. Funding can be linked with performance based criteria which can be reviewed with every successful cricketing endeavour. Existing stadiums can be refurbished; necessary up gradation to the Cricket coaching technology may be judiciously addressed by the Board of Control for cricket in India (BCCI). These reforms must me aimed for up gradation of the existing infrastructure; performance based selection of the players and provide a conducive and promising sporting environment in the valley.
Employment Generation through Cricket: In order to generate employment through cricket a necessary step of identification of skilled former cricketers can be pooled and under their guidance cricket academies can be established. This mature crop of skilled players must be considered by Sports Ministries for uptake in suitable coaching employment Initiatives such as ‘Cricket Skill India’ campaign which must be enunciated for providing the desired push for creating afresh national talent pool for cricket from which the first class tournaments such as Ranji Trophy can be harnessed. Preferences in employment opportunities can be given to sports achievers in both the public as well as private sectors for their much needed empowerment. Moreover, the skilled cricketing youth can also be considered for enlistment in Territorial Army. When the JK Cricket Association was embroiled in controversies with embezzlement of funds, and the youth in quagmire by the effects of terrorism and antinational sentiments, the recruitment of Bishan Singh Bedi as the coach for the state team of J&K way back in 2011 provided the necessary impetus and helped improve the team by leaps and bounds. And it was under Bedi’s tenure that the state’s iconic all-rounder Parvez Rasool rapidly rose through the ranks. An IPL contract at the KKR was made possible and the local youths emulated him as their hero which made cricket as a sport immensely popular in the state. On this concept, an inception of a good J&K cricket league can itself prove an asset in fetching capital to the sport as the beautiful Kashmir valley can become a platform for cricket sporting action. Companies promoting cricket with huge money franchises must be directed to promote cricket in J&K as a welfare measure by sports ministry.
Explore the talent from schools: Research vouches the fact that replacing academic lessons with physical activity does not have a detrimental impact on school grades. In fact increased participation in physical activity leads to better grades. So every school can be a starting point to identify the talented cricketers early. Sports node or sports cell established under the sports authority of India can be a welcome boon for established schools of the Kashmir valley. Kids who participate in sports learn better and are more likely to enjoy both school and cricket. With this road map if instituted from a medium to long term perspective we can be confident that many cricketing talents from Kashmir will justify the superiority of the Kashmir willow in their hands in days to come.
(The author is EVS Lecturer at Govt Higher School Khellani Doda. Views are his own)
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