Jammu, Feb 28: There were celebrations galore across Jammu, like other parts of the Union Territory, after the J&K team won its maiden Ranji trophy title in Hubballi in Karnataka on Saturday.
Major celebration to mark the historic occasion was witnessed within and outside the office of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) headquarters where the players, office bearers joined by the local enthusiasts and cricket lovers danced to the beats of drums, distributed sweets amidst bursting of crackers. Women cricket players and management officials too enthusiastically took part in the jubilations.
ìThis historic moment has come after years of hard work. Momentous victory is the result of splendid team work. For years, J&K had dreamt of this glorious moment to win the Ranji trophy. During the past three or four years, our management has helped us in a big way by providing facilities and the result is that J&K has not just reached the final but has won the trophy as well. Finally, that big moment has come and we are very happy. Weíre celebrating it to the hilt,î said the beaming women players, who were part of the celebration.
ìThis is a big achievement not just for the players and the management but for the ground staff, the locals as well ñ for every individual of J&K. Good facilities have brought results. Earlier our (J&Kís) Under-16 team registered victory and made us proud by clinching its maiden Vijay Merchant trophy. And now we (seniors) have won the Ranji trophy, this is a splendid victory,î they added.
Another JKCA official Rajesh Dhar described the victory as a gift of Mithun Manhas (BCCI president). ìSince he has helmed the affairs (in JKCA before taking over as BCCI president) in 2021 and worked hard to provide facilities, infrastructure, exposure tours besides hike in fee, the results have been visible for everyone to see. Hats off to Mithun Manhas, sub-committee of JKCA and the coaching staff. Since 2021, the things have transformed as now first coaching camps are held, followed by talent hunt, selection of teams out of the best lot. It sounds unbelievable that weíve defeated formidable sides like Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and finally Karnataka on their home turf,î Dhar said.
Students, at some places, too were part of the spontaneous celebrations that erupted across the district and in the native places of the players of the team.
The families of Sahil Lotra, Kanhaiya Wadhawan and other players were finding it difficult to process the historic moment as their joy knew no bounds.
