Jammu and Kashmir has remained isolated from many facilities in the past few years. However, since 2019 the conditions in the valley have improved and sporting developments in the region have also found a new pace. Several cricket players such as Parvez Rasool, Umran Malik, Rasikh Dar and others have come up to showcase their talent in the Indian Premier League, which is also known to be the world’s largest T20 league. Cricket matches have also been organised in the Kashmir region earlier this year and to uplift the cricket facilities there are plans to set up cricket academies. For the implementation of the plan, Adani Group has offered hands for help. Apart from the development of cricket, para-sports is also shaping up in the valley and an example for the same is Sheetal Devi who represented the country in the Paris Paralympics. Apart from Sheetal Devi, a para-cricketer Amir Hussain Lone has been impressed with his skills and received financial help from Adani Group. A look at his journey.

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Journey Of Amir Hussain Lone

Amir Hussain Lone, para-cricketer from Jammu & Kashmir, is overjoyed that his dream of opening a cricket academy for children is finally coming true. Amir is an inspiration to many. He lost both his arms when he was eight years old in a mishap at his father’s mill, but he never let his disability hinder his love for cricket. He has a unique playing style – he uses his legs to bowl and shoulder and neck to bat. Seeing his passion for bowling and batting, his teacher introduced him to para cricket. The 34-year-old has been playing professional cricket since 2013.

His drive has taken him to play tournaments in Afghanistan, Nepal and the UAE. Amir’s life, however, has been fraught with challenges, particularly making a living from para-cricket. Nonetheless, he has remained dedicated to cricket. His extraordinary skills have not gone unnoticed. Earlier this year, the Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani saluted his never-give-up spirit in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He stated that the Adani Foundation would provide every possible support in his unique journey, recognising his struggle as an inspiration to all. 

Amir was elated that his struggles were finally rewarded after the Adani Foundation reached out to him with financial support, which helped him revive his life and career. The Foundation has again stepped in and granted him Rs 67.60 lakh to set up an indoor cricket facility, helping him fulfil his long-cherished dream of opening a cricket academy for local children in his village of Waghama in Anantnag.  

Amir’s unwavering spirit has its roots in a childhood incident where a duck sparked his curiosity and determination to swim. It proves his indomitable will. Just as he had mastered swimming after observing ducks paddling in river, he took to cricket with the same relentless enthusiasm. His journey from an unnoticed boy on the cricket field to an internationally recognised para cricketer and now a future mentor for young aspirants in his village is a testament to his never-give-up spirit. He embodies the belief that with determination and support, dreams can indeed come true.

Amir Hussain Expresses Gratitude To Gautam Adani

In an exclusive interview with ANI, para-cricketer Amir Hussain Lone thanked the Adani group for setting up cricket academia and giving financial aid to para-cricketers. Amir thanked chairperson Gautam Adani, Preeti Adani and Jeet Adani for the financial help. He said, “I thank Adani Group chairperson Gautam Adani, Preeti Adani, Jeet Adani. They helped me earlier also and today again they have helped me with Rs 70 lakh. I thank them for fulfilling my dream (of opening a cricket academy)… There is a lot of snowfall in Kashmir and now we will not have any problem because an indoor academy will be built… The academy will provide free training…”

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#WATCH | Patiala, Punjab: On cricket academy to be set up in J&K after getting financial aid from Adani Group Chairperson Gautam Adani, Para Cricketer Amir Hussain Lone says, "I thank Adani Group chairperson Gautam Adani, Preeti Adani, Jeet Adani. They helped me earlier also and… pic.twitter.com/z1Fs5STVD1

— ANI (@ANI) December 23, 2024

Para sports has seen a huge boost in India over the past few years. The performances of athletes in the recent Paris Paralympics have been proof of the kind of infrastructure and support they have been provided by the government to improve their performance. Now, with Adani Group also coming up to help the athletes, is pretty good news for athletes and will inspire others to make their career in sports.