Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar visits Kashmir bat factory

SRINAGAR — Former legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar visited a bat manufacturing factory in the Chersoo area of Awantipora in southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday.

According to details obtained by the news agency KNO, Tendulkar paid a visit to the MJ Sports factory in Chersoo and interacted with the workers there.

The MJ Sports factory, which produces cricket bats, is owned by two brothers, Manzoor and Javid, from Chersoo.

Javaid Ahmad, co-owner of the MJ bat manufacturing factory, said that Tendulkar was en route to Pahalgam from Srinagar when he stopped near the factory, close to the toll plaza in Awantipora, and engaged in conversation with the workers of MJ Sports.

“We were delighted to see Sachin Tendulkar visiting our factory. During his visit, a request was made to him to assist in the promotion of Kashmiri cricket bats,” he said.

According to Javid, the legendary cricketer inspected the entire bat manufacturing process. “He appreciated and encouraged us to continue our good work. He also promised to promote Kashmiri bats himself,” he said.

Javid said the visit of a legend like Sachin Tendulkar has encouraged them to give their best and further promote this bat, which has already attained international recognition.

“Sachin sir spent around half an hour at our unit, during which we presented him with a bat, and he promised to promote it,” he said.

Tendulkar was accompanied by his wife and daughter, Sara Tendulkar.

Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Dr Basharat Qayoom, described Tendulkar’s visit to the bat factory in Awantipora as a golden moment for Kashmir willow bats.

“Master Blaster, the god of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar blessed cricket bat factory Chersoo Awantipora Pulwama (M/S MJ Sports) with a visit. Inspiration par excellence. Golden day for Kashmir willow bats,” Dr Basharat tweeted.

Later, Sachin Tendulkar visited the Martand Temple in the Mattan area of southern Kashmir’s Anantnag district before heading to Pahalgam for the night.