Polo in the waters of Kashmir

Tourism players have a role to play now when the domestic tourism is picking up fast in the valley and tourism players have a role to play. Inventing, introducing and encouraging new tourist products in today’s competitive market would help attract more tourists and boost the industry in the state writes Mohamad Yousuf

God has gifted us with Snow, Water and Mountains. Ours being the most liked tourist destination in the country we must make full use of these natural resources and heal up the ailing tourism industry. Tourism Department is undoubtedly working hard to bring back the glorious days of Kashmir tourism. For promotion of adventure tourism the Director Tourism, Mr. Farooq Shah is more concerned and is making all out efforts to create one or the other tourist attracting activity here. Holding of festivals and adventure activities at national and international levels by the department has carried message of peace all over the world and more and more tourists have now started pouring in. It was great of Tourism Department to introduce American national sports, Baseball, on Snow at Gulmarg during winter this year. Snow Baseball was a brainchild of Mr. Farooq Shah which received accolades worldwide. But there are still many more things to be done. Besides tulip, saffron, Shikara, gardens and heritage sites etc we have many more things in Srinagar which need to be exploited by the Tourism Department and its alliances in a big way. Mount Mahadev has excellent ski runs thereby offering ski-touring within Srinagar limits till late April.

In Srinagar we have number of world famous water bodies, like Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake and river Jhelum where we could promote scintillating water based activities like jet boating, water skiing, aqua-parasailing and other paddle sports etc. A new ball and paddle sport called Canoe Polo has come up in the world. We need to develop and encourage it.

Polo is an ancient game in which two teams of players riding on horses play with hammers. With the passage of time the cyclists started playing polo on their bicycles. Not only cyclists but the swimmers also introduced it in water. While the paddlers introduced it in lakes and today we have different types of polo.

It is catching up fast all over the world but only we lag. After adopting this fascinating, scintillating and thrilling paddle sport the competitions are regularly held at regional and International levels. Canoe Polo has become one of the best sources of recreation and pleasure today.

Canoe polo is a game played on still waters by 2 teams who paddle hard, pass ball from hand to hand and throw it in each other’s goal posts to score goals. It is often described as combination of water polo, basket ball and Kayaking. It is admitted fact that this unique sport has tremendous potential in our state, particularly in Srinagar, which is known as the City of Lakes.

The Kayaks and Canoes were basically used for travel and transportation for hundreds of years by many cultures. Canadian Canoeing was started by Red Indians in North America and Kayaking by Eskimos. Today we have not only the competitive Kayaking and Canoeing but we have invented Canoe Polo as well.

Jammu And Kashmir State has in fact played a pioneering role in introducing and developing Kayaking and Canoeing in India. We are known as fathers of modern Kayaking and Canoeing in India. First two National Championships were consecutively organized on the waters of Dal Lake, in 1988 and 1989. Kashmir University introduced it at All India Inter-Varsity level in 1999. It is incredible that out of five Inter-University championships Kashmir University has hosted it thrice and lifted championship trophies twice.

The J&K Police and J&K Youth Services Department are also promoting these sports here for long. It is praiseworthy that all the three organizations have raised lot of infrastructure for promotion of these sports but unfortunately, accept Kashmir University; no other organization has ever conceived idea of introducing Canoe Polo in their Centers, though they have produced ace kayakers and canoeists. Canoe Polo could become our national sport should someone have given little attention towards its development. Pertinently most of us live close to water bodies and know the art of paddling. We have plenty of small boats (Shikaras) available here and have easy access to them. Our youth could easily learn this kind of polo and become strong contenders in the world. It is now right time for us to start training youth, forming polo teams and holding regular feedback competitions. Sponsoring the first-ever State Canoe Polo Championship by our Tourism Department could be a big gift to youth who are celebrating the International Year of Youth this year. No doubt they have made an attempt in the past but the sport could not sustain.

In its effort to introduce Canoe Polo in India the Kashmir University Lake Club (ULC) started training its students to this healthy sport last year under the supervision of this writer. The ULC is all set to arrange a demonstration match during next All India Inter-University Kayaking and Canoeing Championship. The University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Riyaz Punjabi is an avid aquatic athlete. He has great love for water sports and is keen to develop aquatics. Under his patronization the University lifted Team Championship trophy in Canoeing in last All India Inter-University Championship. The Tourism Department should try to arrange a demonstration Canoe Polo match during forthcoming Common Wealth Games in Delhi which would help not only to introduce this sport in sub-continent but will also help promote much needed sports tourism in J&K.

For promoting sports tourism the Tourism Department and other tourism players will have to work together and exploit every unexploited tourist product whichever we can offer to intended tourists. Special adventure programmes must be conducted for College and University youths so as to raise trained manpower for adventure tourism. There is also need of setting up a Research Wing in the Tourism Department which could invent, introduce and promote new recreational activities that help state to lure more tourists here.

Published in Daily Greater Kashmir on May 19, 2010

Road of Tragedy

By Obaid Yousuf

This refers to Man-Eater in the City by Mohamad Yousuf published in We the Srinagartes column of City Page. The author has just highlighted the hazards and miseries faced by the people on the road of tragedy, the By-Pass. The authorities are requested to kindly listen to us this time and protect our children from accidents who wait for their school buses on this dangerous road.

The sleeping serpent (By-Pass) will keep on killing people till the concerned agencies do not awaken and construct a service road parallel to the highway.

On reading the title Man Eater in the City, I was frightened that if the man-eater has really attacked the City but after going through the write-up I could imagine that By-pass is really turning into a death trap. Amazingly on the one had Yusuf tried to aware masses about protection of wildlife and on the other hand he expressed hardships faced by the people here due to road terror. Sure both, the wild as well social animals are precious and need protection. Before taking up a project, the constructing agencies must see whether sufficient funds are available with them to execute the work. How ironic it is that ERA is unnecessarily digging the roads and then leave them open for longer periods creating difficulties to the people. We are not crying for the rain waters that have accumulated and submerged the entire southern city because we know our fault of opting to live in the low lying areas so have to bear with it. But demolishing of the safe footpaths or service roads by ERA is objectionable. They are exposing the pedestrians to high risks by making them to walk on main Bypass. They should not spread hands beyond their limits. T is not sensible to dig up the entire road and then leave it half done. Yusuf is right in saying that when a wild animal kills a human being, people raise hue and cry and curse t he animal but when a human kills a human no other human being raise the issue against the defaulter agencies. It is now right time for NGO’s to wake up and take up the matter with higher authorities.

About Author:

Obaid Yousuf is a B.Com student of Govt. Degree College, Bemina and is simultaneously pursuing GNIIT (Software Engineering) from National Institute of Information Technology. In his leisure time he writes articles on sports and social issues. Photography is also his hobby. Feedback at: ubaidyusuf@hotmail.com

The article was published in Daily Greater Kashmir on May 3, 2010

Man Eater In The City

By Mohamad Yousuf

When a wild animal occasionally visits the interiors of Srinagar city everybody get panic and feel insecure. Just on hearing the presence of wild visitor in the city we start shouting against the Wildlife Department and ridicule the poor animal whose domain we have snatched. On spotting them in the city we some time even burn them alive or shoot them at site with guns, though we know the ways and methods to keep them away. But what about a Python, which is silently sleeping in the outskirts of Srinagar city for long? This is non else but a serpentine road called By-Pass. The premier road which is running from Pathachok to Shalteng has virtually become a dreaded man eater serpent. This killer road has eaten up hundreds of people ever since it is constructed.

With the increase of vehicular traffic it is becoming more and more hazardous than before. There always remains a threat of life to thousands of people living close to By-Pass. It has become more Khoni Road in Srinagar than the infamous Khoni Nallah on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

This writer has seen many dreadful accidents occurred on this road. Few years back an uncontrolled truck hit a lady who was waiting for bus near Tengpora Bridge. On reaching to the victim we found her one leg laying at one place and rest of the body far away which shook every by passer there. Another surprising accident occurred during night when a family of Gujars (Nomads) was escorting a herd of sheep on way back to their home land in Jammu region. A rash truck driver killed more than 150 domestic animals of the herd and two of their escorts. After losing its control the truck stuck in an open wide ditch. Later after searching other missing women she was found lying in the deep dug ditch under a wheel of the truck. She was pulled out live and unhurt from the wheel. It was nothing but a miracle. On Tuesday evening (20th April 2010)) one elderly resident, 75 years, of Alnoor Colony, Hyderpora, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Shah was hit and run by a fast driven car near Classic Hospital when there was heavy down poor in the city. The poor resident was going to mosque to offer prayers. He is critically injured, suffering multiple fractures on his lower limb. Being an acute diabetic patient he is fighting for life in Bone and Joint Hospital for last three days. This all happened due to pathetic condition of service road. The old man was forced to walk on main busy By-Pass. The deep dug open drains on service road of the By-Pass don’t permit free movement to pedestrians here.

There is water and only water everywhere all along this road making impossible to walk around here. These open drains have become “Mot Ka Kuan” (death trap). Now the question arises, who is responsible for Mr. Shah’s accident? Is it the fast running car or the Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) which has left the drains half done and made impossible for citizens to move around on foot path of service road?

Is there anyone who could address this grave situation or is there anyone else who could file a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) against the agencies looking after this dreaded man eater road (By-Pass). Someone has to come forward to save the precious lives of people here.

Published in Daily Greater Kashmir on April 28, 2010

Scaling A New High

Throwing Peaks open in Ladakh for climbing delights Mohamad Yousuf

This refers to the writ up “Mountaineering on Ladakh peaks gets green signal” written by Arif Shafi Wani, (Greater Kashmir, Sports page April 15, 2010). I.M.F stands for Indian Mountaineering Foundation and not Indian Mountaineering Federation as mentioned in the report. Indian Mountaineering Foundation is a controlling body of Mountaineering in India. It is obligatory for every Indian or foreign team to book the particular peak with I.M.F and seek necessary permission before launching expedition in Indian Himalayas. It is not only because of security reasons that the I.M.F books the peaks but for avoiding jumbling of climbers of different nations on the particular peak as otherwise there could be clashes among mountaineers for choosing the climbing route and setting up base camps etc.

It is heartening that the Govt. of India has finally thrown open the mighty peaks in Ladakh Himalayas for climbing. I remember in early seventies I had to obtain permission from Superintendent of Police, Srinagar for visiting Leh. It is laudable step taken by Defence Ministry. It would certainly help promote adventure tourism in Ladakh region but what about Kashmir? We do not have lofty peaks in the valley but we have world’s best trekking routes all around which could lure thousands of foreign and domestic trekkers here. It is true that the presence of troops on the trekking routes does not permit tourist players to organize trekking expeditions freely and fearlessly for intended tourists. The most beautiful trekking routes in Kashmir we have are from Sonamarg to Gangabal and back to Kangan via Naranag or a trek from Bandipore to Gangabal and back to Sonamarg or Kangan. One can find variety of flowers and more than fifty mountain lakes on this route which include famous Gangabal, Gadsar, Krishensar and Vishensar etc. The other best trekking route we have in Kashmir is from Pahalgam to Kulun via Sunmous or Yemhar pass. Both these routes are suitable not only for trekking but for ski-touring as well. In 1984 this writer successfully led a ski-mountaineering expedition from Pahalgam to Surfrah in Sindh valley which is still a record.

We need to explore more routes for trekking and ski-touring in the valley for which we have more potential than climbing peaks in Ladakh. Mountaineers are less but trekkers are in abundance, so Kashmir should take benefit of it. We can attract a large chunk of tourists to our trekking areas. The Tourism Department must make its effort to get clear all these trekking routes from the troops forthwith. It is true that besides Pirpanjal range, we have number of small but more challenging peaks in Sindh and Lidder valleys which include Umbrella peaks, Mosquito peak, Cnf Carnedo, Innominate, Valehead, Crystal Peak, Blade/Arrow, Nichnai peak and Mount Harmukh etc in Sindh valley, while Mount. Kolahoi and Sheeshnag peak etc. in Lidder valley and Sunrise, Sunset and Tatakoti peaks etc. in Pirpanjal range. Rauf Tramboo has well said that the tourists feel scared in mountainous regions of Kashmir due to presence of troops but his suggestion to charge fee to foreign expeditions to earn revenue for the state is not fare. He must know that the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, Delhi is already charging huge sum on account of permission fee to foreign expeditions. Charging more fees by state Government may cause damage to adventure tourism. . Money should not be consideration for our Tourism Department if we really have to boost adventure tourism in the state, instead they should pay some incentives to adventure promoters/operators. As per my knowledge the I.M.F was providing some share of the money earned through fee to Himalayan states but I fail to understand where this money has gone in J&K. Surely this money was not properly utilized for the purpose it was provided to our state. I remember sometime back the Ex-Director General Tourism/Ex-President of J&K Mountaineering and Hiking Club, M. Ashraf had moved a proposal to raise a sport climbing wall in the valley from the money received from I.M.F but unfortunately this artificial wall never came into existence in Kashmir till date, though there is urgent need of procuring this artificial climbing wall. This could help us to promote Sport Climbing (competitive rock-climbing) and train local youth to Mountaineering. At the moment we do not have trained manpower who could go as liaison Officer with foreign expeditions to Ladakh Himalayas. Surely someone else will be benefited. Pertinently Kashmir has given birth to great mountaineers like Late Master Chandra Pandit, Late Samasar Chand Koul and Late Abdul Rehman (popularly known as Rehman Nanga) who have been part and parcel of earlier expeditions to dreaded Nanga Parbat and K2. We do not have good climbers in the new generation.

Published in Greater Kashmir on April 19, 2010

By-Pass Illuminated But……?

After PDD it is now duty of Social Forestry and Gardens and Parks Departments to plant carnation plants and grow greenery all along the Centre Line Divider of By-Pass, desires Mohammad Yusuf

After much wait the Power Development Department has finally illuminated the premier By-Pass, in outskirts of Srinagar. The road extending from Pantha Chowk to Shalteng now looks glorious, gracefull and magnificent all along its length. But the PDD has dismayed the residents of Alnoor Colony for leaving some of the poles, numbering about eleven, from Asif Petrol Pump to Classic Hospital un-electrified due to unknown reasons. It has given a bad look to entire length of By-Pass. It is unaesthetic and one feels monotonous while walking at this stretch of the road. The residents of the area are feeling very bad about PDD for leaving these handful poles un-illuminated. However, they are delighted for restoring glory to By-Pass and have conveyed their gratitude to the Department for decorating the road with bright lights which earlier experienced total darkness ever since the electric meters were installed to the consumers here. It was a delighting moment for them, who came out from darkness to light after long. Surprisingly the bright light goes to their bi-lanes and compounds as well which may also help them to keep away thieves who had made their lives miserable by stealing their telephone and electric service wires often. The writer of this article is one of the worst sufferers whose expensive high duty service wire was stolen thrice in dark cold nights.

But it is disgusting that these electric poles were erected by PDD after the Gardens and Parks Department or any other agency had already leveled the mid path (Centre Line Divider) and planted grass roots to make it a green belt. The PDD destroyed the greenery with their machines. How nice it would have been if the PDD had first fixed the poles and then the Gardens Department planted the grass. The Departments like, ERA, PHE, BSNL, PDD, UEED, R&B and SMC etc do not keep liaison or co-ordinate with each other while undertaking any major construction projects on roads. They just dug out the roads one after another causing a big loss to state exchequer and put residents in more trouble.

Coming back to By-Pass the E.R.A has recently completed the work of laying drainage system on right side of By-Pass and half portion of left side. But the agency has failed to fill up the deep dug drains after executing the work on left side which has caused inconvenience to the people living in the locality. The pathetic condition of Service Road gives tough time to car owners and trouble to pedestrians. Residents are not able to cross cars from their homes to main road through muddy lanes. The open deep ditches would store water during rains and snowfall and thus cause damage to their houses as has happened in the Sanatnagar area. The E.R.A should immediately fill up these open ditches from Hero Honda to Classic Hospital before they go for hibernation.

Besides Government agencies, the private business establishments are also not cordial and friendly with local community. It is observed that the newly established K.C Hyundai and K.C Chevrolet etc are throwing wrappers and other dirt on the road side. Many other shopkeepers in the area also do not hesitate throwing their waste and garbage on the road which has caused nuisance in the area. Besides, the K.C Hyundai and Jamkesh Vehicleads are parking fleet of cars on the Service Roads, leaving no space for pedestrians to walk through, compelling them to walk on busiest By-Pass and exposing them to accidents. It is a dangerous and ill conceived policy of these workshops. The people may tolerate the pollution, emitting from these workshops but can no way tolerate dangerous walk on main By-Pass. The children, female and old people could become prey to such road hazards. The S.M.C must immediately wake up and take action against such spoilsport business establishments. Keeping service road clear from garbage and cars is need of the hour. They must also arrange planting greenery and carnation plants in the mid path forthwith. The small fountains can be constructed at various places on the road which would add it charm.

Published on 15th Feb, 2010 in Greater Kashmir

Tribute - Sheikh Sahib Is No More

He didn’t make a name in politics and academics along, but in sports his contribution is unforgettable, Mohammad Yousuf profiles one of the ace footballers of the valley whoom we lost recently.

Prof. Sheikh Ghulam Mohammad

Prof. Sheikh Ghulam Mohammad had not earned a name in academics or politics alone, he was a well know, footballer too. He called it a day on 12th November, 2009. People know much about his political, social and academic affairs but little know about his sports pursuits. Late Sheikh Sahib was a great footballer and a sports lover. He served a lot for the development of sports in the state for nearly 50 years of his valuable life. Prof. Sheikh was an ace football player of his time and played for his School and College for a long period. He was a member of S.P. College Football Eleven in 1947. He represented his College in different Inter-College and Regional tournaments. He also represented the then J&K University in the Inter-University tournaments several times. He was one of the great Kashmiri footballers who took part in Inter-University Football Championship held in worthwhile Punjab University, Lahore during his College days. After his appointment in the higher education department he dedicated himself for the promotion of sports among student youth of two excising A.S. College and S.P. College. Later he developed football in other colleges, wherever he worked during the tenure of his active service. With his great efforts a Football Club was established in S.P. College in forties, which he himself patronized for long. The S.P. College Football Club was considered one of the reputed Football Clubs in the valley till recent years, which was regularly participating in all major tournaments, organized by the University, local Football Clubs and Association during that time. Great footballer of the state like Mr. M.Yusuf Dar, Mr. Farooq Ahmad, Prof Bashir, Mr. Bhagwandas of Jammu and Chapri brothers are his products. He fought for providing boots to the players who used to play barefoot. His demise is a big loss particularly to the arena of sports in the colleges and University. A great human being and a veteran footballer is no more with us today but people will remembers him for long for his contribution to the field of sports. Prof Sheikh was a good friend of Prof. G.N. Siddique, retired Registrar of Kashmir University. Prof Siddique had a long association with this noble soul. He wanted to derive some benefit from this disciplined, honest and highly knowledgeable legendary sportsperson after his retirement. Prof. Sheikh was nominated as first Chairman on University Sports Committee in early eighties. During his Chairmanship the University Sports Department rose to its heights. With his able guidance the Department could formulate long term sports policies. A number of Inter-University Tournaments at North Zone and All India levels were successfully conducted in the University. He always persuaded young football players to play quality game and bring laurels for the University and the state. At times he himself accompanied University Football Teams as Manager in the Inter-University tournaments held outside the state, which encouraged a spirit of sportsmanship among the students. He always guided the players well. He was always personally watching the feedback football matches minutely, analyzing the performance of the young players and then suggesting new measures and strategies for University football team. This soberly person was a big source of motivation and encouragement for sportsmen/women. He always emphasized on tapping raw talent in Colleges and properly grooming it so that Kashmir University could produce ace sportspersons of national standard. During his days as Chairman University Sports Committee the Directorate of Physical Education and Sports of the University received wide acclaim in the field of sports. He always expressed his concern for the welfare of sports fraternity of the state.

Late Sheikh Sahib also helped the University in developing sports among women. It was his desire that the female students should also participate in sporting events and excel. He was in the opinion that the sports develop confidence, courage, camaraderie, coordination and cooperation among women. He always wanted that the women should be exposed to more strenuous work like sports so that they could learn to face difficulties of life boldly, fiercely and prudently. He once himself accompanied the Women Hockey team to Delhi during an Inter-University Hockey tournament. Women sports have been a high priority with him. He encouraged his own daughters to take up to sports during their schooling and college days. His untimely demise is a setback to women sports as well.

Late Sheikh Sahib has left a mark behind. People particularly sports fraternity will remember him long for his great contribution in the field of University sports. In 1998 Jenab Sheikh Sahib met me in Kathmandu during my participation in International River Trisuli Rafting Expedition. On hearing my venture he was delighted and served me Wazwan in a Kashmiri Restaurant there. He assured me every possible help for my endeavour in the foreign country, which shows his dedication towards sports culture. It is undoubtedly unparallel. I am lucky enough that just about two months back of his death I got a chance to see him at his residence. We sat in the beautifully decorated lawns of his house at Nigeen Bagh, full of flowers and greens and discussed a lot about University sports and revealed his old association with University sports. He insisted his son, Mr. Sheikh Abid, to serve me juice, tea and coffee one after another. There was no sign of his ailment. He looked hale and hearty full of life and exuberance.

Prof. Sheikh actually hailed from Nawara, Eidgah and shifted to Nigeen Bagh in 1973. He is survived by wife, two sons and four daughters. He passed his matriculation examination from…. In the year and graduated from S.P. College in the late forties. He did his M.Sc in Physics in Aligarh Muslim University. During his college days he was influenced by political ideologies and started another chapter of his life by joining politics. Besides Sports, he was very much inclined towards politics. He landed in jail a number of times.

On the sad demise of this veteran footballer various political, social and religious organizations and people from all walks of life including teachers, doctors and pro-freedom leaders expressed their profound grief but surprisingly the J&K Football Associations’ governing body could not express a single word of sympathy with the bereaved family. How shameful it is that the new ones are forgetting the old giants. It is great of Prof. Bashir and Mr. Sajid Dar who attended his funeral prayer. The Kashmir University Coaches held a condolence meeting and prayed for peace for the departed soul. They vowed to realize Sheikh Sahib’s mission. He showed them the right part of dealing students problems.

Today I remember him with all his qualities and contribution. May God bless his soul? Ameen.

Published by Greater Kashmir on December 1, 2009

Ranji Trophy Row - Nothing But Prejudice

Services cricket team's behavior was most unsportsmanlike writes Mohammad Yousuf

This is in reference to news regarding refusal by Services Cricket Team to play Ranji Trophy match in Srinagar. It is most unfortunate that the Services Cricket team did not play the match in Srinagar. The entire sports fraternity of J&K was shocked and thus condemns this act. Every sportsperson of the state was stunned on learning that the team did not turn up at S.K. Cricket Stadium.

They should have informed the organizers and BCCI about their withdrawal early in view of threat perception so avoid huge financial loss to the JKCA. We fail to understand what made the Services Team to stay back. They were not perhaps prepared to play the match and thus made the lame excuse of security arrangements. Pertinently the state hosted a number of sporting events at national and international levels in Kashmir valley this year which include Global Derby and National Snow Rugby Championships at Gulmarg in winter, International Rafting Championship at Sonamarg by Tourism Department , National School Games (Cricket) by Youth Services Department, National Police Water Sports Meet by J&K Police, All India Inter-varsity Kayaking and Canoeing Championship by Kashmir University, Greater Kashmir Golf Championship, Ambassadors’ Golf Championship and many other major events.

Surprisingly the North Zone Inter-University Football (Men) Tournament is in progress at Kashmir University Campus these days in which twenty two teams of different Universities of north India are participating. All the participants of these prestigious championships were roaming freely and without any fear or threat. None of the participants was given security cover. The S.K. Cricket Stadium is fully sensitized and is always highly guarded by Para military forces. It is located in high security zone. On its north is the Ram Munshi Bagh Police Station is situated. On the southern and western sides, all the important Ministers of J&K State reside in their Bungalows. On the eastern side the Amar Singh Club makes a garrison of Para military forces. The S.K Cricket Stadium is near Badami Bagh Cantonment (Army Headquarters), thereby leaving least chances of security lapses.

We highly appreciate the Indian Police teams who boldly came forward and took part in Police Water Sports Meet here in summer. The refusal of Services team has sent a bad message and hurt the sentiments of local sports fraternity in general and Cricketers in particular. It was nothing but the expression of hatred against Kashmiri people. The report given by Union Defence Ministry could not convince any Kashmiri. We appreciate the BCCI for banning the team for rest of the Ranji Trophy matches. They should have in fact given them more severe punishment so that no such dramas are repeated in future. The step taken by Dr. Farooq Abdullah, President of JKCA against Services Team is laudable. His expression of anger was touching. The JKCA must stick to its decision and not accept any explanation from Services Sports Control Board. The State Government must also impose ban to Services Team to play any match in Srinagar vicinity in future. The displeasure expressed by Union Home Minister is highly appreciating. The JKCA must desist from asking Services Cricket Team to tender apology. Every Kashmiri is emotionally hurt. So no compromise please.

Published in Daily Greater Kashmir on 7th November 2009