By Mohammad Arfat Wani
People in Kashmir like cricket. When a match happens many people come to see it. Streets, playgrounds and open areas get busy. Some people go far to watch their teams. Cricket makes people feel good. It also helps them stop thinking about their problems for a while.. When I watch people spending a lot of time and money on cricket I think about other important things in life.
I am not against cricket. Sports are good for people. They keep us moving. Teach us to work as a team. They also give players a chance to do well. Many young people in Kashmir like cricket. There is nothing with that. We should not ignore our studies and future because of a game. A match lasts a few hours but our future is very important.
Many students in Jammu and Kashmir finish their education. Look for work. Finding a job is not easy. Some students study for government jobs for years. Others look for work to help their families. Many young people are worried about what will happen in their lives. Not getting a job is not always their problem. Still they should try to use their time
We should also think about the money we spend on watching matches. A young person might spend five hundred on fuel to ride a bike. A longer trip by car could cost a thousand or more. Some people can pay for this. Others cannot. Many families have to save money for food, books and other needs. We can enjoy cricket. We should also learn to save money. Even a little bit can help us buy a book or learn a skill.
Sometimes people also argue during cricket matches. They get angry when their team loses. Some people argue about the umpires decision. Small disagreements can become fights. Cricket is just a game. One team. The other loses. This is normal in sports. We should enjoy the game without hurting anyone.
Another issue is how time some people spend on cricket. They watch videos check scores and talk about matches for hours. During this time they may forget about their books, exams and other tasks. It is good to take a break and have fun. We should not forget our responsibilities. We need to learn how to use our time
Young people need support and advice. Schools and colleges should tell students about jobs. Training centers should help them gain skills. Local groups can organize sports and other useful activities. The government should also work to create jobs in Jammu and Kashmir. Parents and teachers should guide people and help them make good decisions.
We do not have to choose between cricket and our future. We can watch a match on Sunday. Study on Monday. We can support our team and still learn new things. We can enjoy sports. Help our families too. The key is to stay balanced. Cricket should make us happy. It should not stop us from working towards our goals.
Kashmir has young people with great talent. They have dreams. Want to do something meaningful in life. They need places to play and enjoy themselves. They also need jobs, good advice and opportunities to build a future. We should support their love for cricket. Also help them think about their lives.
A team may win a trophy today. Another team may win it year. After the game people will go home. The field will be quiet again. Our young peoples future is still waiting for them. We should enjoy cricket. We should also care about our studies, work and dreams. A match ends in a hours but our future stays with us for many years.
Mohammad Arfat Wani is a writer, social activist, and nursing student from Kuchmulla, Tral. He writes on social issues, culture, and public concerns with the aim of raising awareness and inspiring positive change. Email: ([email protected])
