Cricket Chaos in Kashmir: Players Left Stranded
The Indian Heaven’s Premier League (IHPL) in Srinagar faced a dramatic crisis that shocked many. On November 2, over 50 players, including notable names like former Indian pacer Praveen Kumar, found themselves stranded without pay. The hotel where they were staying informed them that they could not check out due to unpaid bills totaling Rs 51 lakh. This unexpected turn of events led to panic as news spread that international stars Chris Gayle and Jesse Ryder had already left the country.
The IHPL was organized by Yuva Society Mohali at Bakshi Stadium, and it quickly became apparent that the organizers had fled the city without settling payments to players, officials, and even the hotel staff. Praveen Kumar recounted the situation, stating, “Everything was normal until panic struck when the organizers stopped responding to calls. Players were understandably upset as they had not been compensated for their participation.”
Another player, Ishwar Pandey, described the tense atmosphere at the hotel, where players were screaming at the staff as they were held against their will for hours. The lack of audience turnout at the matches was a significant factor in the financial collapse of the league. Initially, the organizers had hoped that signing international players would attract crowds, but when this did not happen, they started to consider skipping matches altogether.
As the fallout continued, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) acted swiftly, dismissing Ashu Dani, who had been coordinating between the players and the organizers. This incident raised alarms about unauthorized leagues in cricket, with warnings issued to players and officials about the risks involved.
The hotel owner, Mushtaq Chaya, confirmed that they were still owed a significant amount of money, stating that the organizers had booked numerous rooms but failed to make payments. The situation escalated to the point where international umpires, including English umpire Mellisa Juniper, sought help from their embassy due to the chaos, prompting police intervention.
Despite the initial excitement around the league, the J&K Sports Council acknowledged that the business model was flawed, and the timing of the tournament was unfortunate. Secretary Nuzhat Gul expressed disappointment but also highlighted the importance of engaging youth through sports. This incident serves as a wake-up call for better management practices in sports events, especially in regions like Jammu & Kashmir.
In the end, what started as a promising cricket initiative turned into a cautionary tale about financial mismanagement and the importance of maintaining trust in sports.
