Srinagar, Feb 28: It is a dream come true for me, said Omar Alam, a prominent cricketer, who is presently sharing the dressing room and playing in the field with the top cricketers of the globe in the Indian Veteran Premier League (IVPL) in Greater Noida.
In an exclusive interview with the INS, Alam, who is known for his speed in Kashmir, stated that the Red Carpets Delhi (RCD) team in IVPL has given him an opportunity to share the dressing room and have a different experience of his life.
“It is a joyous feeling for me to share the dressing room and play with the top cricketers,” he said, adding that the league is quite different from the local tourneys they have been playing as there was no pressure on any of the players here.
“We are being told to just showcase your skills. There is no pressure on anyone,” Alam said, adding that the chill atmosphere and environment being provided to the players was unimaginable.
Asked about the skills of the local youth, Alam said, “I am a local player, when I can play with the high ranked cricketers then why not others. I believe there is a lot of talent in Kashmir and I am expecting the local cricketers to touch the sky in the times to come. Only thing they need to focus on their game and shun the pressure, which would help them to compete with any player.”
“It is a different experience here, but back home there are a lot of problems other than the infrastructure. There should be an eye to pick up the players, the management should put an end to the pick and choose policy and those deserving should be given a chance to showcase their skills,” he said.
About the local youth, he said, “The positivity I have seen here with the owners, they want to pick up more boys from J&K. In the coming time, they (owners) will be grooming the youngsters and talent from Jammu & Kashmir after witnessing our skills.”
“I believe the platform is waiting for the youth of J&K. The time will come soon and the youngsters will be selected on merit basis,” he said.
About his selection in the IVPL, he said playing here is a dream come true for him and that he is thankful to the people who picked him and also he is eyeing to come up to their expectations.
“I will be sharing my experience with the youngsters after returning home and at present he is focused to emerge as the best player and clinching a title of Man of the Match and clinching a trophy for RCD,” he added.
