Kashmir Premier League (KPL) is a professional T20 league founded in 2020 and it consists of six franchises namely Mirpur Royals, Kotli Lions, Rawalakot Hawks, Bagh Stallions, Muzaffarabad Tigers, and Overseers Warriors respectively. CEO of KPL is Ch. Shahzad Akhtar, and Arif Malik is the founding president, Ex-cricketer and legend Wasim Akram is the Vice President of KPL.
India tried to politicize the game of cricket by provoking international players to not playing for KPL 2021. For instance, veteran cricketer Herschelle Gibbs blustered the news that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was involved in desisting him from playing for the KPL. Moreover, English player Monty Panesar has dropped the decision from playing in KPL at the request of BCCI as he was threatened to cancel his visa for India and he won’t be able to see his grandparents. However, Gibbs is playing in KPL without succumbing to the pressure of BCCI and a big round of applause for him. Despite the politicization of the game of cricket, the league is going on as per the schedule and it has delivered the message of peace and harmony to the world community. India could not tell the international community that it has held people in the complete siege in Indian Occupied Kashmir after the abrogation of article 370 on August 5, 2019. However, all confusions and anecdotes created and spread by BCCI have multiplied with zero and his dreams have dashed out. Bottom line is that BCCI was playing a zero-sum game based on propaganda and has been exposed to the cricket fraternity.
Indeed it is a big achievement for Pakistan and Azad Kashmir to start KPL in the beautiful and enchanting city of Muzaffarabad, and all credit goes to the government of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. The state institutions have ascertained that Kashmiri people have the freedom to participate in games and sports. This is the reason that slogan opted for KPL is Kha lo Azadi se (Play with freedom). Moreover, international players such as Herschelle Gibbs, Matt Prior, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Owais Shah, and Phil Mustard and international commentators are actively promoting KPL. People across the globe can watch and enjoy matches through the eyes of cameras on PTV Sports and Geo super. Moreover launching of KPL in Azad Kashmir has referred a favorable memorandum to the world community including diaspora based on Pakistan and Azad Kashmir that Azad Kashmir is a safe and peaceful territory. Such authorizations lead to the promotion of tourism in Azad Kashmir that would be a great source of generation of revenue for the government and promotion of local cultural and archeological activities. Economists coined it as sports tourism that has ripple effects on the economy through the creation of employment opportunities. Moreover, KPL would have a long-term effect on the spirits of those desiring to invest and do business in AJK. Many of the residents of Kashmir are settled in Europe, America, Australia, Canada, and many other states, and KPL has attracted the next generations to visit their home country to enjoy its culture.
Indeed it is a big achievement for Pakistan and Azad Kashmir to start KPL in the beautiful and enchanting city of Muzaffarabad, and all credit goes to the government of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. The state institutions have ascertained that Kashmiri people have the freedom to participate in games and sports. This is the reason that slogan opted for KPL is Kha lo Azadi se (Play with freedom).
KPL is boosting the local economy through the creation and circulation of money. The business of the hotels, restaurants, sports industry and dozens of others are earning profits with the start of the league. Kashmir is known for its cultural foods such as Wazwan, Gushtaba, Kulcha, tandoori baqerkhani, Kashmir yakhni, etc. Therefore Kashmiri foods is attracting players and other tourists. The textile industry is earning revenue by making shirts, caps, and other accessories for cricket lovers. Many local vendors are increasing their earnings by selling these items. Furthermore, the government is earning millions of rupees through ticket selling.
It is worth emphasizing that any type of the sport where both rich and poor participates together leads to shared prosperity in term of employment creation and redistribution of income in society. KPL type events have a positive transitory impact on the income of daily wage earners, vendors, micro-enterprises, and rickshaw and taxi drivers respectively. Further, we are expecting that the successful launching of KPL would have encouraging and spillover impacts on other sports activities, for instance, hockey, football, volleyball, etc.
Above all, KPL provides a podium to the local talent bursting into the world stage. PSL has hunted the many unknown players, recognized them, and provided the opportunity to play at the national and international level for Pakistan. They are enjoying the fame, recognition, and rising the name of Pakistan. KPL will also provide the platform to the local players to seek opportunities to publish their talent and play for Pakistan.
