Earlier this week, one of the world’s most popular sporting tournaments captured the globe’s attention. It included 32 ex-international cricketers but ended in calamity. The landmark event, staged in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, featured eight teams with a majority of local players participating. Notably, major global stars like Chris Gayle and Thisara Perera joined the league, but the league’s woes deepened in 2021. Controversy, low attendance, and financial troubles soon plagued the event, forcing its organizers to go missing shortly before the conclusion of the final matches.
The tournament, which aimed to promote sports in a region often overshadowed by political turmoil, attracted scrutiny from both regional sports authorities and local police. Critics argued that the event sought to gloss over the complex realities of Kashmir and project an image of normalcy. The Indian government and Indian corporate supporters of the initiative are fully cognizant of this. Many locals chose to boycott it, with attendance plummeting to less than five percent of projections.
Organisers Vanish Amid Financial Chaos
The cricket league was supposed to provide a platform for talent from the Valley and the rest of the country to shine and compete. With the tournament still unfolding, it became clear that the hosts were facing a major financial crunch. According to reports, they disappeared the night before the tournament was supposed to end. Supposedly, they just ran out of money.
Local hotel staff also testified to unpaid bills of over 5 million rupees, causing stand-offs in the hotel between players and hotel management. Aasif Manzoor, a 32-year-old cricketer from Anantnag who participated in the tournament, revealed the distressing situation when hotel staff refused to let players check out.
“The staff was refusing to let us check out,” – Aasif Manzoor
The British high commission had to intervene on behalf of players as they began to clash with hotel staff during this turbulent time. Melissa Juniper, then a senior executive with the England and Wales Cricket Board, made every effort to address those concerns. Many players expressed their disappointment over the disorganised nature of the event, which had promised a showcase of talent but failed to deliver due to poor planning and execution.
Political Ramifications and Local Boycott
Political undercurrents have long accompanied any circumstances in Kashmir and this cricket league was no different. Critics viewed the tournament as an attempt by the Indian government to depoliticise the region’s ongoing struggles by projecting an image of normalcy through sports.
Apoorvanand, a commentator on Kashmir’s socio-political landscape, stated that such events are designed to pacify Modi’s voter base within what is termed India’s Hindi-speaking belt. He remarked on the intent behind these celebrations:
“It’s been a part of Modi’s political repertoire right from 2014 to organise these celebrations to give an appearance of cheerfulness so that his critics don’t question him.” – Apoorvanand
My impression is that a lot of local players were sceptical too about what the league was really about. Aasif Manzoor suggested that if the Modi government wanted to showcase ‘normalcy,’ it should begin by releasing thousands of Kashmiri political prisoners currently incarcerated.
“If the Modi government wants the world to see ‘normalcy’,” – Aasif Manzoor
“India could begin by releasing thousands of Kashmiri political prisoners from jails.” – Aasif Manzoor
Many local players were disappointed because of broken promises by organisers about the awarding of contracts. Manzoor pointed out that there was really no written compact prior to their being told to join.
“Local players were demanding that the organisers must first sign a contract with them before they can proceed [to play]. They were assuring us that it would happen. But it did not,” – Aasif Manzoor
Disappointment Among Players and Fans
Players voiced their unhappiness at what they considered a poorly run event right from the start. Concerns about professionalism came to light when players noted issues like poorly tailored uniforms provided to star athletes like Thisara Perera.
“Everything seemed suspicious from the very beginning. Thisara Perera, the Sri Lankan star, played with us. It was embarrassing that even his uniform wasn’t tailored to his size,” – A 24-year-old Kashmiri player
The resulting tournament’s failure could hardly dishearten the players. It left fans feeling sour, as they were looking forward to a cricketing extravagance of a lifetime. Expectations on attendance numbers were missed by the extreme, showing the rift between planners and local fans.
It was an incomprehensible decision that left players and fans alike bitterly disappointed. So many had invested their time, energy, and enthusiasm—excitedly looking forward to what was supposed to be an incredible new sporting landmark—and they felt duped.
“Then suddenly, they left without anyone knowing about it. We did not expect it to end this way.” – Aasif Manzoor
