JAMMU, Oct 1: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party Trade Union Provincial President, sports promoter and cricket enthusiast Ajaz Kazmi today welcomed the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association’s initiative to organise the prestigious Irani Cup between the Rest of India and the Ranji Trophy champions in Jammu and Kashmir, describing it as a significant step towards bringing high-level cricket to the Union Territory.
Kazmi appreciated BCCI President Mithun Manhas for his initiatives towards promoting cricket in Jammu and Kashmir and said that his elevation to the top position in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has generated renewed hope among cricket lovers and aspiring players across J&K.
He said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are now looking forward to witnessing international cricket and IPL matches in the Union Territory, particularly in view of the encouraging developments taking place in the promotion of the sport and the emergence of talented J&K cricketers at the national level.
“As a sports promoter, I feel that the hopes and expectations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir have multiplied since Mithun Manhas took over as BCCI President. His initiatives and the growing recognition of J&K cricket have created a new sense of optimism among cricket lovers, players and sports enthusiasts across the Union Territory,” Kazmi said.He said that the recent progress of J&K cricket and the performances of its players have demonstrated that the Union Territory possesses considerable cricketing talent capable of competing at the highest levels.
Kazmi said the achievements of J&K cricketers at the international level should serve as a source of inspiration for the younger generation. He pointed out that Parvez Rasool, Umran Malik and, most recently, Auqib Nabi have represented India in international cricket, demonstrating that players from Jammu and Kashmir can reach the highest level of the game.
He said the emergence of these players should inspire many more youngsters from J&K to dream of representing the country. “The success of players like Parvez Rasool, Umran Malik and Auqib Nabi will motivate our young cricketers. With better infrastructure, professional coaching and greater opportunities, I am confident that more players from Jammu and Kashmir will earn the opportunity to wear the Indian jersey in the years ahead,” Kazmi said.
He added that the recent performances of J&K players have further strengthened confidence in the region’s cricketing potential. In the latest Ranji Trophy campaign, Abdul Samad played a major role in J&K’s title-winning performance, scoring 748 runs, underlining the quality of talent emerging from the Union Territory.Kazmi expressed hope that under BCCI President Mithun Manhas, this momentum would translate into more opportunities for J&K players, greater exposure to high-level cricket and eventually the hosting of international and IPL matches in the Union Territory.
“Hosting the Irani Cup is not merely about one match. It is a positive indication that Jammu and Kashmir can become an important destination for major cricketing events. I hope that under the leadership of Mithun Manhas, the people of J&K will also get the opportunity to watch international matches and IPL games here,” he said.
Kazmi also called for continued investment in cricket infrastructure in both Jammu and Kashmir. He said that modern training facilities, quality playing grounds, academies and stadium infrastructure are essential for nurturing the next generation of cricketers.He expressed particular hope that the JKCA would establish its own dedicated modern cricket stadium in Jammu, capable of hosting major domestic, international and IPL fixtures.
“A modern JKCA-owned stadium in Jammu would be a major achievement for the region. It would provide local players with world-class facilities and create the necessary infrastructure for hosting prestigious domestic and international matches,” Kazmi said.
The sports promoter said that Jammu and Kashmir has the talent, enthusiasm and growing cricket culture required to become a prominent cricketing destination. He called for equal attention to infrastructure development in both regions so that young players from every district get opportunities to train and compete at higher levels.