How Kashmir Women’s Cricket League is transforming lives, empowering change

Liba, Sabreen, Afreen… the list is long and promising. Scores of these young women from villages and towns of Kashmir are practising in the field, braced with pads and gloves, cricket bat or leather ball in hand, to bowl out the conservatives. These girls of Kashmir have been empowered by Kashmir Women’s Cricket League, a first of its kind tournament that was organised at Srinagar in the last week of August. These women have grown up in Kashmir, where for over 30 years, the terror ecosystem tried to impose Taliban-like thought and culture. The environment has changed after abrogation of Article 370. These blossoming sportswomen have finally found a way to step out and showcase their passion and prowess for this exhilarating game. Sports were largely a male preserve in Kashmir. The Women’s Cricket League has brought about a significant shift in the sporting dynamics of the Valley. An initiative of the Chinar Corps of the Indian Army, the UT Administration and J&K Cricket Association, the tournament was played at the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar. Twelve teams from the various districts of Kashmir battled it out in those 22 yards. And now cricket fever among young women and girls has reached every district of Kashmir. More and more open grounds are filling up with girls enthusiastically pursuing the sport. It’s their passport to pursue their happy dreams. As far as Trehgam in the border district of Kupwara, which was earlier known only for its hard-core separatists, cricket matches are being organised for girls. At the matches being played across Kashmir, these committed sportswomen are finding that dreams do come true. They have formed diverse teams. If it is Women’s College Blasters taking on Legends Sports Club Handwara on one day, it is Royal Strikers Ganderbal taking on Game Swingers Baramulla the other day. For the first Kashmir Women’s Cricket League, the sportswomen travelled to Srinagar from far and wide across Kashmir - seeking to be the best. Their most cherished goal is to don the India jersey and represent the country at international tournaments. “We are so thrilled and excited that we are finding it hard to express our feelings. Many of these players had travelled outside their home district for the first time to play in the Kashmir Women’s Cricket League. And we continue to play daily to refine our game more and more,” said Falak Nazir from Handwara. While players like Falak took to the field during the League, the parents of many competitors sat on the stands, cheering enthusiastically for their daughters and their teams. They had taken the long journey just to see their daughters get on the pitch and play the game. “We consider ourselves fortunate to have a platform to showcase our strength and prowess in cricket. We need more of these sporting tournaments that provide equal opportunities to girls. Our dream is to represent the country, nationally and internationally, and earn accolades for our country,” said Afreen, one of the players. The sweet sound of the ball striking the middle of the willow is a tectonic shift from the times when the Valley lived through the long and dark years of terrorism. “Elder women and girls in our family know that such empowerment was previously denied. If any girl expressed the desire to excel in sports or cultural activities, she and her family members were shamed and humiliated by those connected to the terror ecosystem,” said Mehvish Amin, the mother of a cricketer from North Kashmir, who had come to watch her daughter play. “We all know how precious these times are for us. It is not about who wins or loses. This cricket tournament sent a powerful message of empowerment and strength to all girls and women across Kashmir,” she said. The impact of the Women’s Cricket League will extend beyond the players on the field. The significance of the Women’s Cricket League is resonating with thousands of girls throughout Kashmir who are keenly following the amazing empowerment of these sportswomen. The cricketers competing in Kashmir Women’s Cricket League said that earlier, youth aspirations were frequently suppressed in the name of conflict. The women cricketers said that only a few empowered or affluent parents managed to resist this pressure and enabled their daughters to excel in sports. Girls from the villages and towns in Kashmir often had to compromise their dreams of excelling in sports or any other pursuit. “I encourage girls across Kashmir to step forward and refine their sporting talents. Girls possess as much talent as boys. We are immensely grateful to the Indian Army and the UT Administration for organizing the Women’s Cricket League. This tournament offered a fantastic platform to us all, and we have a long journey ahead,” says Sabreen, one of the cricketers who competed in Kashmir Women’s Cricket League. “All of us are discovering new-found power and strength to pursue our dreams,” Sabreen added. Sakeena Akhtar, coach of the University of Kashmir team, said that top-notch facilities were provided to the cricketers, and this has significantly boosted their self-confidence. “All cricketers were provided with high-standard sports gear, jerseys, accommodation, and other facilities,” said Sakeena. Tournament coordinator Col Manoj Dobriyal expressed gratitude to the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association and the civil administration for their whole-hearted support in organizing the Kashmir Women’s Cricket League. He said that the tournament is a substantial step forward for the sportswomen of the Valley. The girls are all set for national level matches now. “Such tournaments will encourage women to view sports as a viable career option, and shall promote women’s empowerment,” said Liba from the Women’s College Blasters team, as her team mates nodded in agreement. Kashmir Women’s Cricket League has offered an equal platform for Kashmiri sportswomen to demonstrate their prowess. The girls are enthused about their future, and the League has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of cricketing excellence in the region. The writer is a former Hizbul Mujahideen operative. He runs a free coaching centre for poor children and orphans in Old Town Baramulla. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost_’s views._ Read all the  Latest News ,  Trending News ,  Cricket News ,  Bollywood News , India News  and  Entertainment News  here. Follow us on  Facebook ,  Twitter  and  Instagram .