Twenty-four cricketers, heading towards Srinagar to attend a cricket camp, had to return disappointed due to restrictions imposed in the Valley, an official of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association said here on Thursday.
The restrictions have been imposed as a preventive measure following the death of Separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Wednesday night at his Hyderpora residence.
As per official handout issued here on Thursday, Brig Anil Gupta (retd), Member-Administration, JKCA, said that the 24 sports persons for upcoming Under-19 tournament on Thursday left from Jammu for Srinagar to attend the camp under the banner of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association but had to return from Udhampur as no further movement was allowed by the traffic police towards Srinagar.
The probable’s were accompanied by Ravi Sharma, ex Ranji player and prominent first-class cricketer who has been selected as the Camp In charge.
The camp was scheduled to be held at JKCA cricket stadium, Sonwar, Srinagar from September 3 to 18, said the Administrator.
The Men’s camp was to begin at Srinagar from September 3 but due to the prevailing situation in Srinagar, the camp is likely to get delayed.
The players will continue to practice at Jammu.
Brig Gupta said that to train and select the final list of 20 players each of Men and Women U-19 teams to represent the National Championship being organized by BCCI at Indore and Bhubneshwar respectively from September 20 to October 18, JKCA had planned separate camps at Jammu and Srinagar for the Men and Women teams.
While the Women’s Camp is already under progress at Hostel Ground, Jammu.