The news that Rasikh Salam was hired by Mumbai Indians for the current season of IPL to just not only to warm the benches but he actually bowled the first over of the first match came as music to ears. The 17-year-old has not only done his birth burgh Kulgam proud but the entire Kashmir valley celebrated his achievement. Kashmiris are all over the social networking sites congratulating the teenage prodigy. At the same time there is no dearth of the people in the state administration who are taking credit for the selection of Rasikh Salam in IPL.
Rasikh Salam happened because of his sheer hard work and determination. Also, one cannot lose the sight of the fact that there was a coach like Irfan Pathan to gauge the talent of Rasikh Salam. Given the present sports scenario in the valley (to put it plainly the abject lack of sports infrastructure) it is only a miracle if a sports personality of any repute comes to the fore.
The condition of the lone Indoor stadium in Srinagar is such that most of the time it could pass off as a ghost house. Now, since the election season is on all the major stadiums of Srinagar would be dug up to raise platforms, fences, security barricades-this way sports is buried forever under the jackboots of official machinery. The condition of the rural playgrounds is equally bad. The playing grounds of Budgam, Pulwama, Baramulla, Anantnag, and Bandipora are crying for help and there is no one to pay heed to their woes.
Time has come to ask questions from the candidates who come canvassing for elections at our door step. Why this apathy towards a culture of sports? Why this ostrich approach? Playgrounds are the fields where our heroes would be born. If Rasikh Salam makes it to Indian cricket team he would be an icon for years to come. Such is the power of sports.
We can only hope that the sports scenario improves in the valley. Congratulations to Rasikh Salam for making it to the Mumbai Indians team.
(GMK)
