Lack of proper cricketing infra in J&K: Rasool
Rajesh Dhar
Jammu, Feb 4: Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and President Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), Dr Farooq Abdullah felicitated the team members and the support staff of the Parvez Rasool-led Jammu and Kashmir Ranji trophy team in an impressive function at Hotel Fortune, here today.
Dr Abdullah gave away mementos and cheques worth Rs 35 lakh to players, officials and selectors for reaching quarterfinals in Ranji Trophy this season.
The team members were presented a cash award Rs 23 lakh besides mementos, while the senior selectors including Abdul Rauf, Shiban Lal Trakroo, Shahid Parvez, Iqbal Shah and Tilak Singh were presented Rs one lakh each. Parvez Rasool and Shubam Khajuria were presented a cash award of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Abdullah said,”I am proud how Jammu and Kashmir team has fought and defeated big teams this time and kept their State’s flag high–I have full faith in them and I am hopeful that one day they will win Ranji Trophy final”.
The JKCA president promised that he will speak to former India captains Bishan Singh Bedi (who has already coached the state side) and Mohammed Azharuddin to guide the players of the State.
“We will not leave any stone unturned in helping you. We will request both Azharuddin and Bedi to help us with their coaching in order to improve the performance of the team”.
Praising the selectors, Dr Farooq said that they have done a commendable job and did not succumb under pressure, adding that they will fix elections for constitution of new team of JKCA soon.
On Tendulkar being honoured with Bharat Ratna today, Farooq said that it is the greatest moment for the people of the entire county, adding that cricket has given a lot to India.
However, taking a dig at the poor cricket infrastructure in the State, Jammu and Kashmir skipper Parvez Rasool voiced his concern about lack of quality facilities, which is a hindrance for the talented cricketers to hone their skill to perform at the higher levels and come into national reckoning.
“There are number of problems (with regards to cricket in J&K). We do not have proper infrastructure. We do not have a number of grounds also. We have only two grounds —one in Jammu and another in Srinagar,” Rasool, who is an India A regular and was also first cricketer from State to be selected in the national team, said.
Asked to elaborate, Rasool said,”When we go to Srinagar in November, we cannot play there for six months (due to snowfall). After that when we come to Jammu, we are left with only one ground. We do not have good turf wickets (natural grass).”
Rasool, who was named in the Rest of India squad for Irani Cup that will take on Ranji champions, Karnataka, at Bangalore from February 9, said “If we ought to perform well, we need to have good infrastructure. We should first have grounds for practice and there should be better facilities”.
Asked as to how he felt in being felicitated on the day when his cricketing idol and now his mentor, Sachin Tendulkar is being honoured with prestigious Bharat Ratna, Rasool said it is an ecstatic and blissful moment for me and my childhood coach Rajesh Dhar.
“During Under-17 and Under-19 Nationals, Dhar Sir and me often used to talk about the temperament, skill, attitude and aptitude of cricketing icon Tendulkar on an off the field and I grew up watching this genius (Paaji),” Rasool said.
“It feels good to be selected in the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup game. I hope that I will perform well in both batting and bowling,” Rasool said.
Earlier, Manzoor Wazir, in his welcome address highlighted the achievements of the Association during last two seasons and said that the performance of the team was the best thing to happen in the history of cricket in Jammu and Kashmir.
Prominent among others present on the occasion were working committee members of JKCA including Ramesh Mahajan, Chaman Lal Charangoo, Ashutosh Sharma, Mehboob Iqbal, Ranjeet Kalra, Ashinder Kaul, Ankush Abrol, Sham Saroop Kalsotra, Sudershan Mehta, Rajesh Dhar and Rajan Singh, besides former Ranji Trophy cricketers Vijay Sharma, Kavaljeet Singh, Surinder Singh Bagal, Vivek Sharma and Sanjay Sharma.
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