JKCA: Player with Palestine flag on helmet participated in unrecognised league
The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) has clarified that a player who reportedly wore a Palestine flag on his helmet during a local league match in Jammu was participating in a tournament not recognised by the association. Furqan Bhat, who played in the Jammu and Kashmir Champions League that began on December 29, has been called in by police along with the league’s organizer, Zahid Bhat, for questioning.
JKCA: “The league is not recognised by us”
Brigadier Anil Gupta (Retd), Member Administration of the JKCA, told IANS on Thursday that the league in question has no official sanction from the association.
“The league is not recognised by JKCA,” Gupta said.
It is understood that the player was not registered with the JKCA or any of its affiliated bodies in the state, raising serious questions about the legitimacy of the tournament.
Police launch investigation into unauthorized league
Police reportedly rushed to the venue after the incident came to their notice and images of the player wearing the Palestine flag on his helmet went viral on social media. Authorities have launched an investigation into the unauthorised cricket league.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and its affiliated state associations do not allow players to participate in unrecognised tournaments. Players who breach this rule risk disciplinary action, including bans from domestic and international cricket.
Second unrecognised league scandal from J&K
This is the second league from Jammu and Kashmir to come under the scanner in recent months. Organizers of the privately-run Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL) allegedly fled Srinagar on November 1 after duping players, match officials, broadcasters, and hoteliers.
The IHPL, which began on October 25 at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar with international stars including Chris Gayle, Martin Guptill, and Thisara Perera, collapsed after just 12 of 27 scheduled matches were played.
The league, organized by Mohali-based Yuva Society, had eight teams—Pulwama Titans, Ladakh Heroes, Srinagar Sultans, Kishtwar Giants, Gulmarg Royals, Patnitop Warriors, Jammu Lions, and Uri Panthers—and was scheduled to conclude on November 8.
Around 70 cricketers, including former Indian players Praveen Kumar, Iqbal Abdullah, and Parvez Rasool, along with umpires and staff, were left stranded after the organisers disappeared midway through the tournament.