Pulwama, a district in South Kashmir once known for militancy and unrest, witnessed a historic moment on Monday, August 25, 2025, as it hosted its first-ever day-night cricket match. Thousands of people gathered at the Pulwama Sports Stadium to watch the inaugural match of the Royal Premier League (RPL), marking a significant shift from conflict to a celebration of sports and a new beginning of hope for the region’s youth.
The Royal Premier League features 10-12 teams from across Jammu and Kashmir. The inaugural match was played between Royal Goodwill and Sultan Springs Baramulla. The event drew spectators from various parts of the Kashmir Valley, eager to be part of this landmark occasion. To facilitate the night match, organizers rented 80 floodlights from Delhi, mounted on four towers around the ground. The match began in the evening and continued into the early morning hours, with the post-match presentation taking place around 1:30 am.
Irfan Ahmad Bhat, the coordinator and organizer of the league, noted the unprecedented crowd, estimating that more than 30,000 people were present at the stadium. Syed Amir, a fan who traveled from Baramulla in North Kashmir, mentioned being stuck in a traffic jam for two hours due to the large number of people coming from all over Kashmir. The organizers are livestreaming the matches and have upgraded the pitch to provide modern facilities for the players.
Waheed Para, Pulwama MLA and PDP leader, hailed the event as a new beginning for the youth. He emphasized that sports can be a bridge of hope and opportunity, describing the match as a celebration of aspirations. Nuzhat Gull, Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, also attended the event and shared her thoughts on social media, highlighting the transformative power of sports.
The event symbolizes a shift from despair to hope for the valley's youth. Pulwama, along with other districts in South Kashmir, was once considered a bastion of separatist politics. The fact that a day-night cricket match is being played in Pulwama is itself historic, giving the locals a sense of pride and belonging. This tournament is seen as a rare reason to bring smiles back to the faces of locals, offering healing of old wounds and rare late-night entertainment.
