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Jammu and Kashmir cricketers untraceable before domestic season; TV ads put out informing about camp
The JKCA has not been able to get in touch with its players, including Parvez Rasool, who has played for India and has turned out in the IPL. The JKCA CEO Ali Bukhari finally came up with the idea of airing ads on TV, infoming players about a camp that will be held.
Jammu and Kashmir's cricket coach Irfan Pathan says that the communication clampdown in the state is one of the most challenging moments of his cricket career, as he yearns to keep the state's preparations for the upcoming domestic season on track. The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) has put out ads on TV channels in the state so that they can be in touch with the cricketers, who are untraceable and cannot be reached. The Vijay Hazare Trophy starts next month.
Communication in the Valley has been shut down after the Indian governmnent uplifted the Article 370 that gave special status to the state.
"The biggest challenge for us is that we are not able to contact players in Kashmir and its districts. We are in touch with the Jammu players," Pathan told PTI.
The former Indian all-rounder added that the hard work of the players has been undone by the recent happenings in Kashmir, as the players are unable to follow their regime that they would have otherwise followed.
"Preparation has been big hit time. In the training camp held in June, we put a lot of emphasis on fitness as we felt that our biggest weakness was agility. The J and K players have the lungs but they lack in agility so I arranged a qualified trainer like Sudarshan to work the players.
"The players were supposed to peak by now but it is all back to zero in the current scenario. Even if the situation becomes normal, there is no time for training, it is just about playing matches," he said.
The JKCA has not been able to get in touch with its players, including Parvez Rasool, who has played for India and has turned out in the IPL. The JKCA CEO Ali Bukhari finally came up with the idea of airing ads on TV, infoming players about a camp that will be held.
"Bukhari is a former DIG. He came up with the idea that we should advertise on television. There is a programme that comes every evening and Kashmiris are communicating with their near and dear ones through that.
"So we put the ad there hoping the selected boys can join the camp in Jammu. We put it out yesterday and we can't expect everyone to respond in one day. It will take at least two to three days. It is a very unique situation. I have never been involved in anything like this before," said the 34-year-old.
