Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Jan 20: A talented young cricketer from south Kashmir’s Pulwama district has secured a place in the 67th National School Games Under-17 Cricket Championship.
Faizan Mukhtar Pandith, a 10th-grade student at HSS Karimabad Pulwama, showcased his impressive batting and bowling skills in the matches conducted during the ongoing championship.
Expressing his delight over the selection, Faizan told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that he is working hard to prove his capabilities on the cricket field.
A fan of the veteran batter Virat Kohli, he dreams of representing India at the international level. “I have nurtured a passion for cricket since my childhood and have consistently demonstrated my skills at every available opportunity,” he said.
Faizan said Kashmiri youth have abundant talent, adding that there is a need for proper nurturing to help them reach greater heights in their respective fields.
His coach, Bilal Ahmad Dar, a Physical Education Teacher (PeT) at HSS Karimabad, praised Faizan’s exceptional abilities and said the aspiring cricketer earned his spot in the championship after undergoing rigorous training in a month-long camp.
Dar expressed optimism about Faizan’s future performances, citing his outstanding achievements with both bat and ball. “Faizan has won two Man of the Match awards against Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat,” he said.
“I am confident that Faizan will continue to excel in upcoming matches and contribute to more victories for Jammu & Kashmir,” the coach said—(KNO)
