Another edition of the highly popular cricket tournament of valley, Langate Premier League concluded with former local Member Legislative Assembly Er. Rasheed giving away prizes at the concluding function at Audoora sports ground, here on Thursday.
It was festive atmosphere in Langate localities on Thursday as hundreds of locals thronged to venue to witnesses the final played between Langate Cricket Club and Panditpora XI Club. The event having started three months ago saw 128 top teams of the Langate competing against each other for the title and prize money of over three lakh rupees.
With two local teams making it to the final that included some of the popular faces of the area, highly anticipated final saw large number of spectators turning out to witness the match. The yet to be fully developed Audoora Cricket Club was full with spectators sitting wherever they could find place to sit.
Batting first Panditpora-XI were able to score only 115 runs for the loss of six wickets in allotted 17 overs.
In reply, Langate were cruising towards win and when it looked like that match will end quickly, there was a batting collapse that made last few overs of the event a scintillating affair.
From 101 for the loss of two wickets, Langate Cricket Club were reduced to 106 for the loss of eight wickets. In last two overs, team needed 4 runs to win which they achieved in last over of the match without any further loss of wickets. As the final run was scored, all the spectators jumped in the middle of the ground and within few a seconds it was filled and reverberated with the sound of fire crackers.
Langate Cricket Club emerged as winner of the league and bagged a trophy and cash prize of rupees one Lakh while as runner-up team Panditpora-XI bagged a trophy and cash prize of rupees 30,000.
Apart from awarding the winning and runner-up teams, organizers also awarded each of the 128 participating teams a kit of worth Rs 15,000.
At the concluding function besides Er. Rasheed, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Khalid Jahangir, former Director, Radio Kashmir Himayun Qaiser were among guests present.
Speaking on the occasion, Er. Rasheed termed the event as one of his flagship activity to promote the local talent.
“I was not expecting such huge turnout of people to watch this match. It is heartwarming to see excitement around. It is your own event which is aimed to promote and give exposure to the talent in Langate. This was the third edition and we will continue to conduct it in future as well,” he said.
Khalid Jehangir also spoke on the occasion and encouraged youth take part in sports activities.
“It is great to see so many fans turning up to see the match here. I was not able watch match but saw how passionate people of the area are towards sports. More such events should be organized and even we at district administration conduct events regularly,” he said.