Royal Premier League draws massive crowds as Irfan Sarkar pushes for greater opportunities for local talent

Pulwama, J & K : In a region more commonly known for its security alerts and conflict-related news a Young Gun 27 year old cricket lover is trying to shift the narrative through one tournament at a time.

Irfan Ahmad Bhat, widely referred to as Irfan ‘Sarkar’, hails from Prichoo village and has dedicated the past several years to establishing a cricket platform designed to shine a light on homegrown talent and offer young players a chance to compete at more advanced levels.

Having been passionate about cricket from an early age, Bhat eventually dropped out of his B.A. programme midway and chose to channel his energy into organising cricket competitions. His first such event took place in 2022, marking the start of what has since evolved into a far broader sporting endeavour.

With each successive edition, the tournaments have expanded in scope. Bhat introduced night matches featuring floodlights, LED screens and a digital scoreboard. The most recent edition has incorporated live commentary and streaming, lending the games a more polished professional feel.

On August 19, the District Stadium in Pulwama saw thousands of spectators turn up for the opening fixture of the Royal Premier League Pulwama. Bhat estimated that over 20,000 people attended the inaugural event, including visitors from beyond the district’s borders.

The competition comprises 10 teams, each permitted to include up to three players from outside Jammu and Kashmir. Participants from overseas have also been given the green light to take part.

The league is scheduled to run until the first week of September. Bhat stated that the total prize money for the winning and runner up sides is approximately Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh.

The event’s influence has extended beyond the pitch as well. The large influx of spectators has generated added business for restaurants and other establishments in Pulwama, and sponsors from outside the district have also begun showing interest in the tournament.

He believes that competitive tournaments can offer players exposure that local matches alone rarely provide. The achievements of Kashmiri players who have advanced to higher tiers of the sport have also motivated youngsters in the area to view cricket as more than just a hobby.

One notable case is Auqib Nabi Dar, whose rise has further fuelled the ambitions of young cricketers throughout Kashmir.

Looking ahead, Bhat hopes to broaden the initiative and play a role in nurturing a more robust cricketing framework across Jammu and Kashmir. His wider vision is to establish regular platforms where players can showcase their skills, draw attention, and potentially make the leap into professional cricket.

Pulwama MLA Waheed Para, who attended the opening ceremony on August 19, commended the initiative and noted that such endeavours were helping foster a fresh sporting atmosphere in the district. He also recognised the contributions of the administration, club owners, organisers and the sporting fraternity.

For a district whose public perception has long been shaped by grim headlines, the overflowing stadium and mounting enthusiasm for cricket present a strikingly different reality. And Bhat is counting on this being just the start.

Report By – Mudasir Maqbool