Poonch: Balnoi Battalion, under the aegis of Krishna Ghati Brigade, organised the Balnoi T-20 Cricket Tournament at Kalidhar Cricket Ground, Sagra, Mendhar, District Poonch as part of Operation Sadbhavana, to commemorate India’s victory in the Indo-Pak War of 1971. The aim of the Tournament was to encourage local talent and boost sports activities in J&K UT. The Tournament commenced on 16 December 2021, with a total of eight teams of Poonch District participating enthusiastically in all the nail-biting contests. All the teams displayed great energy and stellar sportsmanship in a bid to clinch the majestic Balnoi T-20 Cricket Tournament Trophy. The finals were played between Brother Star Ghani and Mankote Rising Star, which was won by ‘Rising Star Mankote’. The entire Tournament was witnessed by a large gathering, who cheered whole-heartedly for their respective teams.
Renowned International & National Divyang Cricketers from Poonch District – Mr Sayed Shah, Mr Niyaz Ahmed and Mr Parvaiz Ahmed – were the Special Guests in attendance, apart from other prominent personalities from civil and defence organisation.
The successful conduct of the event is yet another demonstration of the Army’s outreach to its Youth as well as the local populace. The ‘Awam’ once again thanked the Indian Army for their continuous endeavour in involving the youth and promoting sports as means of empowering them by conducting the Cricket Tournament for them.
Nazim Ali Manhas is a Poonch based photojournalist