*J&K-UP eves emerge joint winners
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 13: Scripting a convincing win over Jammu and Kashmir in the summit clash, Uttar Pradesh boys lifted the title trophy of the 27th Senior National Tennis Ball Cricket Championship, organized by J&K Tennis Ball Cricket Association in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council at different venues, here.
In the women’s section, J&K and Uttar Pradesh emerged joint winners as the match ended in a dramatic fashion.
Secretary Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council, Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra was the chief guest on the valedictory function, while Jitender Sharma, Secretary General, Tennis Ball Cricket Federation of India and P Gangvel, Vice President (TBCFI) were the guest of honour.
The chief guest was also accompanied by Divisional Sports Officer, Rajan Sharma and Joint Secretary J&K State Sports Council, Jammu, Shiv Kumar Sharma on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Parra said that sports serves for delight, for ornament and for agility, adding that the Sports Council is committed to streamline sports and games and promote budding sportspersons.
He lavished praise on the organizing community for holding this mega sporting event, wherein 40 teams drawn from various States/UT’s and affiliate units of Tennis Ball Cricket Federation of India took part.
On the occasion, Mr Parra distributed prizes among the winners and runners-up teams.
In the women’s final, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh emerged as joint winners in an exciting contest.
Earlier, winning the toss and batting first, Uttar Pradesh scored a good total of 75 runs in the stipulated 8 overs, losing just one wicket. Shefali top scored with 40 runs, while Sadhna Yadav contributed valuable 30 runs to the total.
In reply, J&K needed 5 runs on the last ball and the batswoman after hitting the ball towards mid-off area called her partner and were running between wickets. After completing 2 runs, the batting duo in the middle were running for the third run, when the UP players in a jubilation uprooted the stumps when the ball was in action and not dead. After thorough discussions and deliberation, the jury of the Federation declared Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh as joint winners of the Championship. For Jammu and Kashmir, Summaiya and Satika were the star performers, who made brilliant 35 and 23 runs respectively. Sumaiya hit 6 boundaries, while Satika struck 3 fours. Goa & HP won third place in this section.
Meanwhile, in the men’s section, Uttar Pradesh defeated J&K in an easy contest by 25 runs. Batting first, UP scored 82 runs in the stipulated 8 overs. Vikas was the top scorer with 38 runs, studded with 6 magnificent boundaries, while Ravi, Govind and Kuldeep chipped in with 21, 9 and 6 runs respectively. For J&K Sunil took 2 wickets.
In reply, J&K managed to score 57 runs in the allotted overs, thus lost the match by 25 runs. Hinan (25) and Burhan (18) were the main contributors.
The third place in this section also went to Goa.
The match balls used in this Championship were the Toss Official Tennis Balls of Sharma Sports Jalandhar.
The Valedictory function was coordinated by FA Salroo, organizing secretary of the event, while the proceedings of the programme were conducted by Rajesh Dhar and BK Tickoo.