Jammu, Apr 25: Minister for Medical and Technical Education, Youth Services and Sports, Prof. R.S. Chib today indicated merger of two regional premier leagues into a unified Jammu and Kashmir Premier League, with an avowed objective of preparing cricketers for representing State in Indian Premier League.
 Talking to media persons here this afternoon, the Minister spelled out broad contours of measures being taken to popularize sharpen talent by providing best coaching facilities to such of the players, who excel in all departments of the game. The purpose, he said, is to have best of the cricketers to represent Jammu and Kashmir in various tournaments.
  “The budding cricketers should excel in the game and carve out a space for themselves in the national contingents”, he said assuring all possible governmental help in this regard.
 The Minister said that the State’s Youth Services and Sports Department and Sports Council will strive for all possible assistance from Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) and hoped that best coaching will be made available to the budding cricketers. He acknowledged the help already being extended by Jammu Kashmir Cricket Association, headed by Dr. Farooq Abdullah and the patronage of Chief Minister Mr Omar Abdullah, who are keen to see cricket flourish in the State.
 Prof. Chib said that holding of Kashmir and Jammu T-20 Premier Leagues would not have been possible but for the great help provided by the Army, which remained in the forefront in organising various sports tournaments. “In fact, the Army played like a catalyst to advance sports activities in the State”, he said and expressed gratitude to the Army for its civic action programme under Operation Sadhawana. He said this has helped in transforming the attitude of the rural population towards development in recent times.
 He said that two decades of turbulence caused big loss to the sports infrastructure which is being reconstructed anew by the Coalition Government. He further said that the department is creating modern sports infrastructure in the State by constructing stadia in every nook and corner with focus on encouraging rural sports. He described sports as best medium to channelise energies of youth in a right direction besides saving them from being caught in the web of social evils.
 Referring to the launch of PYKKA for promotion of rural sport, Chib said a significant headway has been achieved in motivating rural youth towards sports and creating necessary infrastructural facilities in various rural areas. Efforts are underway to expand its coverage to hither to uncovered areas; he said adding that already 14 blocks have been brought under the programme.
 Encouraged by sports activities gaining momentum in the State, Chib said such events are an attempt to further promote various games especially cricket besides harnessing the sports potential of budding players. “Such prestigious events are organized to give a big boost to cricket at domestic level and to build local talent”, he added. He was optimistic that Jammu Premier League will also turn into a big success and help take State’s cricket to highest pinnacles. “If we build on this platform over the next few years, we will have a format that could revolutionize the sports world of the state, he opined.
 About the Finals of Jammu Premier League, he said the winning team will be awarded Rs. 5 lakh while the runner up team will get Rs. 3 lakh. The man of the match and man of the series will get Rs. 1 lakh each.
 Prof Chib said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will be the chief guest on the occasion.
 Among others present were Secretary to Government,  Youth Services & Sports, Vinod Koul, Director Information, Khawaja Farooq Renzushah, Director Youth Services & Sports, J. P. Singh, Secretary Sports Council, Kiran Wattal, Brigadier 16 Corp Mr. Rawat, Member BCCI, Ranjeet Kalra and other senior offices of different departments.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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