J&K emerged as sporting power house: LG Sinha

Jammu, Feb 28: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday, while hailing the magnificent victory of J&K cricket team in Ranji trophy final, stated that in the past 5 years or so, J&K made a very momentous progress in the arena of sports and emerged as the ìsporting power house.î

Following the stupendous achievement, it was required that more and more J&K players could find a chance to be part of the Indian national squad and play an effective role in helping J&K achieve newer heights and scale the top, LG Sinha asserted.

ìFirst of all, I want to wholeheartedly congratulate the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team. Given their stupendous victory, J&K has started celebrating Holi-the festival of colours, fours days in advance. This is a moment of extreme pride for us ñ for the entire Jammu and Kashmir as well as for the entire nation,î the Lieutenant Governor stated, while speaking to select-media at Lok Bhavan Jammu.

Hailing the performance of the entire team, he said, ìI want to greet Captain Paras Dogra, coach Ajay Sharma, bowler Auqib Nabi and all other players of the team heartily. I believe that in the past 5-6 years, J&K has made a very significant progress in the arena of sports and made momentous achievements.  J&K has created a distinctive identity for itself during this period. These players (of the winning J&K cricket team) have demonstrated it today ñ not just in the final match, in fact their overall performance, all the way, has been magnificent.î

In the same breath, he emphasised, ìNow the need is that more and more players from J&K get an opportunity in the Indian team and make their contribution to help J&K attain the top position. This (moment of victory) was amazing, incredible, unforgettable and unimaginable!î

When asked if he believed that the new generation was transforming J&K, he answered in affirmation.

ìIndeed, a revolutionary transformation is taking place across J&K and the youth have a major contribution in it. Cricket in J&K is not just a form of sport but a passion. This is evident as that splendid passion, verve and stimulation clearly reflect on the ground,î LG Sinha asserted, while describing the victory in Ranji Trophy finals as a ìvery glorious and historic moment not just for J&K but the entire country.î

He stated that the players earned honour with their tenacity, hard work and passion leading to such a big victory and brought glory to the entire country.

ìThey all in unison scripted a new history, which will inspire generations,î he said.

Referring to transformation of J&K even in sports arena during the past five years, the Lieutenant Governor stated, ìI feel that under Prime Minister Development Package (PMDP), the infrastructure which has undergone a significant transformation in J&K under the visionary leadership and policies of the Prime minister Narendra Modi ñ whether it relates to stadia in every district ñ outdoor or indoor stadia; Khelo India centres. All these have a major role in this amazing transformation.î

ìThe way this cricket team has performed, it will be an inspiration. I hope that in future, weíll see many J&K players being part of the Indian national team, bringing laurels to the entire nation in cricket, across the world,î LG Sinha wished.