No play for tournaments, leagues, children carry on amid wet fields

Srinagar, Apr 5: Despite a brief respite from rainfall on Sunday, outdoor sporting activity across the Kashmir Valley largely remained suspended as waterlogged grounds and soggy outfields continued to hinder play.

While the break in precipitation raised hopes among players and organisers, most playfields were still unfit for use following days of persistent rain and overcast after a recent weather advisory from the India Meteorological Department (MeT).

Local tournament organisers, players while speaking to Greater Kashmir, said that the wet ground conditions, particularly in cricket and football venues posed safety risks and left little scope for resuming scheduled matches.

“Even though it didn’t rain heavily today, the outfields are still too wet for any proper game. Player safety cannot be compromised,” a local cricket organiser said.

Football grounds also remained largely unusable.

However, the brief improvement in weather did see some movement on the fields, with a few sports enthusiasts, mostly children, venturing out to play in open spaces despite damp conditions and intermittent drizzle.

The ongoing spell of erratic weather has already led to the postponement of several local tournaments and disrupted regular training sessions across districts, affecting athletes’ preparation schedules.

With the MeT forecasting more unsettled weather in the coming days, sports persons fear continued disruption to outdoor sports unless conditions improve and grounds are restored for play.