In first of its kind initiative to hunt new talent, State Cricket Academy set up by J&K State Sports Council recently is going to organize State wide mega cricket tournament across State after the Eid festival.
It will be first major cricket event to be held in State on this scale this season. The top level cricketers from all over State would be taking part in the event. Since the turmoil in J&K Cricket Association, the top cricketers of the State have not got a chance to test their skills in the top level event.
The first phase will see teams from all over State talking on each other. In the second phase there will be 20 teams who will include players selected on the basis of their performance during first phase. The second phase will also include team from Ladakh the players for which were selected during recently held Ladakh Students tournament in Srinagar. Ladakh side will get automatic entry into second Phase.
Giving details about the event, Director State Cricket Academy Mubashir Hassan said, “It is our ambitious project of unearthing the hidden talent in our State. It will be first time that a top level cricket of such magnitude would be held across State. The matches would be held in all the major district fields”.
“The first phase matches would be held on knockout basis. The second phase, will involve teams from all over State who will involve shortlisted players. From Jammu province we have involved four districts of Pir Panchal, Chenab, Udhampur and Jammu,” he said.
He said that for the first time a team from Ladakh will be taking part in cricket in Kashmir.
“To make this event State level in true sense we are have giving wild card entry to Ladakh side for the second phase. The Ladakh team has been selected by the organizers of the recently held Ladakh student’s tournament. It will be real exposure for the cricketers of Ladakh to rub shoulders with top cricketers of the State,” he said.
The Director Academy said that in the event they are expecting all the high profile cricketers of the State to take part.
“It is first major event of the State this season. The players are yearning for action and that is reason we are confident that all national level, Ranji level cricketers of the state will take part in it. The involvement of top cricketers will add to the attraction of this tournament,” Mubashir said.
The organizers have kept around rupees 25 lakhs as prize money for the event and they say that it is needed for the development of the game in J&K.
“Our players have no other resources and to attract them and boost their morale we need to keep big cash prizes. It is not like winner will get 25 lakhs but it would be distributed throughout the event,” he further said.
About the talent hunt theme, he said, “It is obvious number of youngsters will be part of the event. Some of them will be talented and will be able to show their talent on big stage. We will eye them and will take them under our wings”. ( Source Greater Kashmir)