Baramulla, Oct 08: The premiere of the first-ever women’s cricket match in north Kashmir’s Sopore town drew a massive turnout, with thousands of people participating in the cricket match.
The Sopore Strikers clinched victory over the Aseem Eleven Pune team in a thrilling 10-over game, marking the commencement of the ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas Rajat Jayanti Women’s Cricket Friendlies Tournament.’
Organized by Chinar Warriors in collaboration with Aseem Foundation, the tournament honors the memory of Kargil War martyr Lance Naik Ghulam Mohd Khan.
The tournament commenced with an exhilarating match that saw the home team, Sopore Strikers, triumph over the visiting Aseem Eleven Pune team in a nail-biting contest lasting until the final over.
Mrs. Zarina Akhtar, wife of Lance Naik Ghulam Mohd Khan, graced the occasion as the chief guest. ADC Sopore Shabir Ahmad Raina and MC President Masrat Rasool Kar were present on the occasion.
The tournament aims to promote sports and provide a platform for budding women’s cricket talent.
Batting first, Aseem Eleven Pune set a target of 100 runs, and the Sopore Strikers successfully chased it down in the last over with one ball to spare, led by their captain, who scored a remarkable 42 runs.
The historic event unfolded at the Subhana stadium, Govt Boys Higher Secondary School in Sopore, attracting a diverse and enthusiastic crowd.
Students from different institutions, including Shah e Hamdan Academy, added to the lively atmosphere.
The match showcased the skill and determination of the Pune women’s team, setting a target of 100 runs for the Sopore Strikers.
In a thrilling finish, the Strikers chased down the target in the last over, supported by the local community, esteemed individuals, and organizations like Aseem Foundation.
Local spectators expressed joy at witnessing the match, highlighting the challenges girls face in pursuing their dreams and commending the support provided by organizations like Aseem Foundation.
They expressed confidence that talented girls from Kashmir will soon represent the area at the national and international levels.
Snowber, the winning team captain, emphasized the significance of the match in providing a platform for talented girls to showcase their skills.
She expressed gratitude for the support from the Aseem Foundation, army, and stressed the importance of local units taking the initiative forward.
Masrat Rasool Kar, President of the Municipal Council of Sopore, hailed the event as a success of hard work and expressed a desire for positive changes in development and youth empowerment.
She proudly stated that the daughters of Sopore have proven their exceptional abilities in various sports, emphasizing the need to nurture their talent.
President of Aseem Foundation, Sarang Gosavi, said that the initiative’s motive was to provide opportunities for girls and expressed joy at discovering hidden talent in Sopore.
He said that plans to host matches in Pune are already in the pipeline, aiming to boost the morale and confidence of budding cricketers of Kashmir and help them become top players in the future.
“This tournament signifies a major milestone for women’s cricket in Kashmir, offering a platform for female cricketers to showcase their skills and assert their equal potential to their male counterparts,” Sarang said.
