The state apparatus has got a big role to play to ensure that the flow of emotions and love, which the youngsters of Kashmir have for the Pakistan Cricket Team, is reversed towards the Indian Cricket Team, because, the Indian team is second to none and has given superstars to the world of Cricket. In other words, Indian cricket has got more than what Pakistan cricket has, but why has the state failed in ensuring a paradigm shift concerning cricket in J&K, especially Kashmir? When we talk of Kashmir, there is a lot of cricket and to back that statement, Valley has produced the finest cricketers who have played for their country; on top of that, post abrogation of Article 370, Kashmir has witnessed a sea change in terms of sports infrastructure, but there is still a need for doing more if the state wants to divert the attention of Kashmiri youth from Pakistan cricket towards the cricket back home.
The UT administration under LG Manoj Sinha has been putting in place a wide range of infrastructure, for all the games, but for time being, there is a need for giving 100% attention to cricket in Kashmir, starting with opening up a cricket academy of international standard with top-notch instructors and occasional sessions with the current top players of the country. The academy must have branches in other districts, working in tandem with the one established in Srinagar. There is a need for ensuring every possible and needed facility at the academy which should be tasked to hold trials at will, get the best, hone and nurture them with regular interaction and sessions with the in-game players of Indian Cricket.
It is something that holds the key to a great change which must be in the offing but is waiting for the state to take the right steps well in time. The point here is that more and more youngsters from Kashmir should play for India in various formats, be it IPL, under-19, or the International Cricket—things need to change and they will, provided that necessary course correction and much-needed investment are done at the right time in this direction because why should our youngsters look up to Pakistan Cricket team and cheer for them when we have one of the finest at home? Why not expose them to reality and make them really play for India?
