Jail Premier League: Uttarakhand’s Haldwani jail hosts cricket tournament for inmates
Jail Premier League
As cricket fever grips the nation with the return of the sport post-pandemic, Uttarakhand’s Haldwani jail has come up with a league of their own. Jail authorities are hosting a cricket tournament called the Jail Premier League (JPL) inside jail premises. The cricket league is an opportunity for the cricket-loving inmates to showcase their talents. Senior jail superintendent Manoj Arya shares that it is an initiative for the mental and physical well being of the inmates.
Haldwani jail houses around 1450 inmates, including 51 women. And the jail administration organises several kinds of entertainment activities on national holidays as well as other festivals.
“To make inmates mentally and physically fit we have organised JPL in our jail premises. This event does not only provide an opportunity to showcase their sporting talent. But also provides recreation to the other inmates,” Arya says to Hindustan Times.
A T10 tournament featuring eight teams
Started from December 15, the tournament will end on January 8 where eight teams are contesting in 10-over-per-side matches. Arya shares that inmates with knowledge of rules are playing umpire with the open spaces in the premises hosting the tournament. Social organisations of the city have provided the equipment as other inmates enjoy the games. Arya shares that the administration has planned cultural events on the new year eve too.
“Open space of the jail premises is being use as ground and a temporary pitch and boundary have been demarcated for the game. Inmates playing cricket and familiar with cricket rules have been appointed as umpires. Other inmates, as spectators, enjoy the event. Sports equipment has been managed through the social organisations of the city.”
“We organise several kinds of sports and cultural events for the recreation of the inmates from time to time. Ramleela also was staged during Navratri. We will be organising cultural programmes on Christmas and on December 31 in jail premises,” Arya said.
Anshuman Mahapatra
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