By: Aabid Hameed
Srinagar: First time in history of J&K, international cricket players would play with willow bats of Kashmir brand in T20 World Cup in United Arab Emirates.
The people associated with the bat manufacturing industry are happy as for the first time branded bats from Kashmir are being used at international stage.
Fawzul Kabir a 29 year old MBA pass out from Islamic University Awantipora said that few international players from Oman are going to play with bats made of Kashmir willow manufactured at GR8 sports industry Halmulla in Sangam area of Anantnag.
Kabir owner of GR8 sports industry has inherited this unit from his late father who had started it in 1974.
He said that Naseem Khushi, Bilal Khan and few other players from Oman will play with the bat manufactured in his unit.
He said that this is a big achievement for Kashmir bat industry as it will pave way for others to take their brand to international stage.
He said that first our bats will be used by low profile international players and slowly and steadily more reputed players will use it which will give an international recognition to bats manufactured in Kashmir.
Kabir said that Kashmir willow bats were being used by international players earlier also but the raw material was sent to Meerut, Jalandhar and other cities who used their own label and brand to sell these at international level.
“Despite product being of Kashmiri organ, the branding was done by others. Now our own bat and kits have their own label. This will take up this vital industry to new heights,” he added.
He said that bat industry during the past few years has started to get attention from government side.
There is lot more to do and hopefully government will help us further to take ups this industry to new heights, he added.
Pertinently, there are around 200 bat manufacturing units from Sangam to Awantipora in South Kashmir where thousands of people are employed.
