In Pulwama, one man’s big bet on cricket and all eyes are on it across J&K

Irfan Ahmad Bhat, a 27-year-old entrepreneur and cricket enthusiast from Pulwama, has been dedicating his time to building a cricketing culture in the south Kashmir district. Born and raised in Prichoo village, Bhat is the only sibling who was always engrossed in watching cricket. After leaving his B.A. midway, he decided to organize a tournament in Pulwama to provide his own players a platform.

Bhat began promoting sports in 2022, starting with a one-day cricket tournament that brought teams from various districts of Jammu and Kashmir. After the success of the day event, he aimed to make it bigger by organizing a major night cricket tournament last year. This year, Bhat has further upgraded the infrastructure with enhanced lighting, live commentary, and streaming, making the stadium resemble an IPL venue.

He believes that children are attracted to cricket when they see LED screens, inspiring them to pursue the sport.

On August 19, thousands of people gathered at the district stadium for the opening match of the Royal Premier League Pulwama, with over 20,000 spectators, some even traveling from outside the region. The tournament features 10 teams, allowing each team to include up to three players from outside Jammu and Kashmir. Bhat has introduced prize money of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh for the winner and runner-up teams, generating business for local establishments and attracting sponsors from outside Pulwama.

Bhat's goal is not limited to Pulwama; he aims to create a cricket culture in every district of Jammu and Kashmir, nurturing more cricketers like Auqib Nabi Dar, who has gained success in the sport. The Pulwama municipal commissioner, Waheed Parra, praised Bhat for creating a new sporting atmosphere in the district and expressed gratitude for the support received from various stakeholders. The Police Commissioner, Tanushree, also commended the organizers for making the tournament a success.