Jammu, Sept 08: After the nomination of strong three-member Sub Committee by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to run the affairs of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) on the directions of J&K High Court, way back in 2021, the things have been changing thick and fast in Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA).
Presently, one gets a feeling that no stone is being left unturned to prioritize professionalism, promote cricket culture, streamline the system and deal with the players and officials on the basis of merit.
Professionalism is a buzzword, transparency in the selection process after providing ample opportunity to the players is evident, development of sufficient infrastructure is on the cards and the establishment of standard cricket academies in both the regions of the Union Territory are in the pipeline.
This season, the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) has appointed former India player and a cricket coach of great repute, Ms Latika Kumari Sangwan as the coach of the senior women’s team with an aim to produce International stuff.
“J&K women cricket is already on the upswing. We have produced a big number of players who have represented JKCA in the North Zone, Challenger Trophy and NCA Camps. Now, JKCA is aiming to produce India and IPL players, so we have hired a former International cricketer and coach to train our players,” said Mithun Manhas, Member Cricket Operations and Development JKCA.
It may be recalled that the J&K senior women’s team created history in 2021-22 season by qualifying for the knockout stage of the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy and the U-15 women’s team also scripted history by sealing the berth in the knockout stage of U-15 Women’s One-Day Trophy in 2023-24 season.
Now, the appointment of a dynamic, energetic and reputed coach will help the J&K’s budding talent to make it to the higher and the highest level.
Her huge experience at the national scene and expertise in the coaching field will serve as a tonic to JKCA’s talented young cricketers to blossom at the higher levels.
Meanwhile, adding another feather to its already colourful cap, the present regime of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) is all set to construct and establish a 10319.862 sq meters first of its kind state-of-the-art cricket facility in Jammu very soon.
The decision with regard to establishment of indoor cricket academies in northeastern States, Patna and Jammu was taken earlier by the BCCI and approved in the recently held informal meeting convened by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at its headquarters in Mumbai to “exchange ideas” and discuss the revamped domestic cricket structure.
The structure approved by the BCCI to be established in Jammu includes an all-weather cricket facility with four strips or you may call them wickets, a standard gymnasium, a cafeteria, changing rooms, a massage room, waiting lounge, an ice bath facility, equipment rooms, store room and toilets.
A similar cricket academy will be established in the other region also to boost the cricketing talent.
Last but not the least, the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) has re-drafted the constitution in accordance with the incorporation of the Lodha recommendations and has submitted the same with the Registrar of Societies, Jammu and Kashmir.
