*Making players is an uphill task, breaking players is cup of tea: Goni
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, July 13: Seeming unfazed by the controversies enveloping Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), the trio of Chairman, Mohd Aslam Goni, Vice Chairman Jammu wing, Shamboo Nath Sharma and Joint Secretary Jammu wing, Hardev Singh today said that despite lack of funds at the moment and adverse atmosphere, the Jammu wing of JKCA would start the cricketing season with a bang to help cause of cricket and cricketers in the State.
The office bearers of JKCA expressed this while addressing media persons during a felicitation function at JKCA Office Bathindi, organized to honour J&K’s promising cricketer Shubam Khajuria, who has been selected for India Under-19 squad to tour Sri Lanka.
Referring to the selection of two talented players from J&K-Parvez Rasool and Shubam Khajuria in the Indian squads, Goni said that it is only the sheer-dint of hard-work, devotion and application of these cricketers that have fetched them a place in the Indian teams, adding that it is very tough to make players in polluted atmosphere as breaking players has been everybody’s cup of tea in the scheme of things in JKCA.
“Players boycotting the matches in the last season exhibited simply as the weakness in the system,” Goni added.
Chairman JKCA wanted to appeal the Association members to be united at this juncture and help budding cricketers (out of which two have become the property of the nation) to achieve heights.
While replying to a question as to why president JKCA Farooq Abdullah has not congratulated Shubam like he praised Parvez, the Chairman JKCA said that it was Dr Farooq Abdullah who had advised him to felicitate Shubam and it was on his behalf that he was doing the job.
To a question as to when would the JKCA election take place, Goni said that it has been stayed by the Court that has challenged the issuance of the election notice, adding that as soon as the things are cleared the elections will be held.
He, however, felt shocked that the occurrence of JKCA scam hampered nothing but for establishment of International Stadium in Jammu.
While speaking on the occasion, Shubam was all praise for Jammu wing of JKCA in conducting month-long camp at Jammu for his practice and conditioning, prior to his selection in the national team.
Meanwhile, vice chairman and joint secretary JKCA appealed the chairman to ensure better cricketing season ahead and he assured them alongwith other working committee members and outstanding cricketers present on the occasion that talent hunt and fitness camps, besides tournaments will be conducted at an earliest.