BARAMULLA, July 12: The champions of the 5th Varmul cup, held at the Jhelum Sports Stadium, were honoured by Secretary of Youth Services and Sports (YSS) Sarmad Hafeez.
The Varmul cup final between ACC Blues and Bradman Sopore was attended by a large number of locals as well as the Secretary of Sports Counci, Nuzhat Gull; the Director of Youth Service and Sports, Subash Chander Chhibber; the International Cricketer, Parveez Rasool; and senior officers from a number of government departments.
Sarmad Hafeez, who was the keynote speaker, thanked everyone involved in the event for their hard work and inspired the attendees to follow their ambitions. He lauded the success of the event organised by the Baramulla Cricket Forum and stressed the positive role sports can play in the growth of young people.
The Secretary of the Sports Council spoke about how cricket has a large following in J&K and how it has helped to engage and redirect the energy of young people. She said that many aspiring cricketers would look forward to local boy Aquib Nabi, a star player for the J&K senior squad who was raised and trained at this pitch.
The Secretary also said that cricket academies are being maintained by the J&K Sports Council all throughout the union territory, where future champions are being trained by the likes of Parveez Rasool and Abid Nabi. Many of these players will go on to represent both J&K and India in the future.
ACC Blues won the Varmul cup championship match against Bradman Sopore, taking home the trophy and 50,000 rupees in prize money. The losing team took home 25,000 Indian rupees (about $600). Shakir Symond of the Varmul Victorians was named the tournament’s most valuable player, while Irfan Sadaam was named man of the match for his outstanding bowling performance.
North Kashmir cricket fans absolutely flocked to the cup hosted by the Baramulla Cricket Forum and the J&K Sports Council. The competition has grown in popularity over the previous several years, and this year included 64 teams from all throughout the district of Baramulla and beyond.
Teams and individuals that participated in the event were awarded diplomas and awards.
As part of the celebrations, the Baramulla Cricket Academy was opened by cricket greats Sarmad Hafeez, Nuzhat Gull, and Parveez Rasool, giving aspiring young cricketers a place to learn from experts and get exposure on a national and international stage.
