Anantnag, Jan 01: Lal Mohamad Ganie, 65a resident of AdlashMagam village of Anantnag district is a popular name in cricketing circles and spends most of his days in cricket fields across South Kashmir doing commentary.His analysis and comments are accurate and make sense to the cricketers around.
At this age,his love for the game dates back to his youth when he was actively participating as a player in the cricket fields. He started playing cricket when he was just 10 years old.
“I played cricket for more than 35 years and represented my team as captain,” he said, adding that he couldn’t take his cricketing talent to a bigger platform due to lack of exposure then.
Gannie wasactively participating in the game as a player till 55 years when a life-threatening disease forced him out of the pitch. After battling the health issues boldly, his love for the game never died in him.
He remembers that during his tough times, the players whom with he used to share the pitches with, were the support.
He came back to the fields after years, but this time as a commentator who rejuvenates the crowd with his lively voice. His comments and critique are as good as those of any international ex-player
Along with commentary, he started promoting the game in different areas of Anantnag.He also runs a page on Facebook, ‘All Sports JandK,’with 92K followers. Apart from it, he runs a live programme, a sports talk show,’ in which he features promising cricketers of Jammu and Kashmir like Parvaiz Rasool, Aamir Bhanday and Abid Reshi.
Shabir Rasool, a resident of Nanil village, said that Lal Mohamad took the game of cricket to far-flung areas in Anantnag including Dahwut, Bhagwan, Krongsu, Saliya, Khanghar and Hapatnar.
“I can live without meals but I can’t live without being part of cricket,” Gannie said.
Ganie has retired from service as chief manager of Central Cooperative Bank but he refuses to part away from his first love, Cricket.
At 65 now, Lal Mohamad Ganie is infusing excitement into the game with his living commentary, joyful chats with youngsters, refreshing cricket talk shows with budding cricketers, and accurate analysis and prediction of match results.
Gannie is invited to playfields in Bijbehara, Nanil, Mattan, Seer, Saliya, Jablipora and Shamsipora to serve as chief guest on finals. He has also served as chief guest for Ranji Trophy where he interacted with different cricketers including Irfan Pathan.
Off the field, Lal Mohamad is an equally active and joyful person.
