Wake up, save cricket

The cricket enthusiastic youngsters could be seen in the playfields from morning to evening, trying their best to showcase their talent and get an opportunity to play at national and international level. However, some worrisome events have taken place in the Valley in the last few months now as the non-local players are taking over the local youth here in the different tournaments, organized by some people at separate places. It has been seen that the cricketers from outside states are being called to the Valley to play in the tournaments, which deprives the local youngsters from showcasing their talent. It has been learnt that some influential people are contacting and approaching the non-local players and calling them here to play for their teams in the tournaments with an aim to win the cash prize as winners. With each passing day, cricket in Kashmir is turning into a business for many people. It is no more a game now as the sponsors of cricket teams are playing every gamble to win the big prizes and even play with the career of many local cricketers here by sidelining them in every way possible. It is the high time to save the cricket and also ensure the game is not allowed to become a business and also create the atmosphere to save the career of local cricketers, who are well deserving and capable enough to compete with the youth from other states.