OMAR INAUGURATES KASHMIR PREMIER LEAGUE (KPL) T20 TOURNAMENT

Srinagar Jul 04 (Only Kashmir): Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Monday said that Jammu and Kashmir possesses rich sports potential and youth require opportunities to prove their talent at the National and International levels.
Inaugurating first of its kind Kashmir Premier League (KPL) T20 Tournament here today, Omar Abdullah said that better sports infrastructure and opportunities to young people to excel and bring laurels to the State is the priority concerned of the State Government.
“I would ask the Youth Services and Sports Department and the Sports Council of the State to work jointly in giving new impetus to the sports activities in the State. Our boys and girls are second to none in talent. They only require proper nurturing and facilities”, he said stressing on unified efforts by the Government and the sports organizations in this direction.
Hoping the KPL would be permanent feature in the Jammu and Kashmir sports calendar, the Chief Minister said that this tournament would give boost to cricket culture and produce players of high quality. “We want to see our cricketers in the IPL teams soon and KPL would provide good opportunity for it”, he added.
Omar Abdullah said ‘it is immaterial who wins or loses, but participation in the games is important as it provides ample area for players to inculcate team spirit, discipline and zest to achieve the goal’. “Sports also provide opportunity to develop friendly relations with the people from various regions. It enables the players to learn about the culture, language and heritage of various areas”, he said and emphasized the need for large scale participation of youth in the sports activities.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Youth Services and Sports, R. S. Chib gave brief account of the sports activities underway in the State. He also talked about the facilities and opportunities Youth Services and Sports Department is generating for the sports persons and the development of various sports in the State. He said that the KPL started this year with ‘Sadhbhavana’ initiatives of the Army would give fillip to the cricket culture in the State.
The Minister thanked the Chief Minister for inaugurating the tournament. He also appreciated the role of Kashmir Cricket Association and its President, Dr. Farooq Abdullah for the patronage of the tournament.
GOC 15th Crops Lt. Gen. Syed Atta Hasnain in his speech said that 14 teams from 10 districts of the Valley are participating in the KPL inaugurated today by the Chief Minister. He said the selection of these teams was finalized after a marathon fixture of 294 matches held in the 10 districts of the Valley. He said 50 matches would be held between these 14 teams from July 4 to August 3 this year. He said there was great enthusiasm in the cricketers of the Valley to be part of the tournament. He said in one district there were 84 teams which participated in the selection process.
Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir was present amongst the senior officers, Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association Members, prominent citizens, sports persons and large number of students.
The Chief Minister also unveiled the glittering trophy to be presented to the winners of the tournament at its finale. The winner of the final will receive Rs. 5 lakhs cash award while the second prize will be of Rs. 3 lakhs, third Rs. 0ne lakh and the fourth Rs. 50000/-. Man of the Tournament would receive Rs. 60000/- cash award.
The quarter finals of the tournament would be held on July 29 and July 30 at the venues in Srinagar, Baramulla and Kupwara while the Semi-finals are scheduled on August 1 at Srinagar and Anantnag. Match for third and fourth positions will be played at Baramulla on August 2 while the grand finale is scheduled on August 3 at Srinagar.