Srinagar, Mar 15: Until a couple of decades ago, warm-ups and practice sessions for most budding cricketers in the valley meant a jog around the park but now, they practice to their heart’s content and stretch every sinew to get better and better.
Like everywhere else in the country, cricket is quite popular in Kashmir too. Many youngsters pursue this sport as a career option. Yet, like everything else, the sport has received a cold shoulder from the state government. Hardly any decent facilities exist for training budding cricketers.
But cricketer Imran Dar and businessman Jahangir Ahmad Khan have taken upon themselves to right this wrong. The duo has come with an Indoor Cricket academy on the outskirts of Hyderpora bypass.
Imran Dar, co-founder, earmarked some land from his own property to set up the academy. “We started a small academy last year and set up a cricket pitch and nets in the area. We have received an overwhelming response since then,” Imran said.
The academy has set up a cricket pitch surrounded by BCCI certified green net where aspiring cricketers play. It is equipped with modern facilities, six turf wickets, indoor practice facilities, high end bowling machines, and a cricket stimulator.
The academy remains open 24*7 and has around 58 players of all age groups practicing at present.
“I longed to provide quality service and platform for young players to explore the game of cricket and have fun at the same time,” says Imran.
The young cricketer laments, “There is no dearth of talent here but platforms are few. After some initial hiccups, the dream of setting up an academy finally turned into reality last year.”
At the break of dawn every day, mostly teenagers gather at the academy.
Asrar Ahmad, 16, hails from Kupwara in north Kashmir. He has been here for the last two months and has shown remarkable progress. Asrar comes from a far off village and finds solace in cricket.
“My father and villagers saw me and encouraged me to concentrate on the sport so that I earn a name in the sports world. I want to succeed in cricket and live up to their expectations,” he said.
He said, “The grounds for practicing here are few and there we hardly get chance to play, as the space is already occupied by the senior players. This academy has come a great blessing.”
These cricket academy owners conduct trials regularly in the interiors of the state and scan the best talents.
Moreover, the academy is not restricting itself to boys alone. It wants to provide a fillip to the women’s cricket scene in a state where the game is associated only with men. Therefore, Iqra, a young tall girl of 18, gushes how the academy has helped her develop positive attitude and improve batting skills.
“I owe my fitness level to physical training during the practice. But more than that I feel a sense of liberation,” said Iqra who has been attending the practice sessions for the last four months.
Imran said that many youngsters still dream of playing for India. “If basics are right one can shine in any format of the game,” he said, adding that the main focus at the academy is on three counts — basics, technique, and fitness.
He said, “We reprimand if anyone take liberties with his batting. We advise them to stay focused and play long innings.”
On the progress report of the budding cricketers, Imran responds, “We maintain a dairy and note down the progress of players every day. We review their performance individually.”
He added, “We advise parents to focus on education of their children along with cricket.”
