FOR LOVE OF THE GAME: Players from Jammu & Kashmir who are in Vijayawada to participate in the on-going 17th Senior National Tennis Ball Cricket Championship. — PHOTO: RAJU V.

VIJAYAWADA: They hardly look like the ones hailing from trouble-torn Kashmir. Like any other teenager, they enthusiastically cheered their team-mates to give their best shot amidst jokes, claps and bonhomie. For players from Jammu & Kashmir tennis ball cricket team, the prevailing tension in the valley is not a deterrent to lead life with a positive outlook.

"It is a fact that all is not well in Kashmir. But love goes on. Despite the uncertainty, more and more youngsters are taking up sports and games in a big way," says S. Manjit Singh, team's coach.

However, Mr. Singh laments that the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has not created enough sporting facilities in the valley.

"Except Jammu, you do not find proper grounds and stadiums in other part of the State for youngsters to pursue their chosen sport. SAI should offer more technical and infrastructure support. Even coaches for premium sports and games are scarce," he bemoans. However, Mr. Singh lauds the role of the Indian paramilitary force in promoting sports among youngsters in a bid to prevent them from joining the anti-social elements.

The myth

"They distribute sports kits to youngsters in remote villages," he adds. Seventeen-year-old Mariya, a B.Sc student from Women's Degree College in Jammu, says that more women are showing keen interest in taking sports and games as a career. "Parents are very supportive. It is a myth that parents do not encourage girls in making a career in sports. Cricket tops the priority list," she says.

Mr. Singh says that all major federations need to allot more tournaments in Jammu and Kashmir to send a positive message to the general public. In the blood donation camp organised on Friday, many J&K players, too, donated blood.

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