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Chinar Premier League 2026 knockout stage starts in Baramulla with a grand ceremony
Baramulla: The knockout stage of the historic Chinar Premier League 2026 officially began with a spectacular event at General Bipin Rawat Stadium, Baramulla, where around 6,000 people, including students, cricket enthusiasts and local residents, gathered to witness the opening ceremony.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo attended the event as the Chief Guest, while Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Commissioner/Secretary of the Youth Services and Sports Department, was present as the Guest of Honour.
The ceremony started with the National Song and National Anthem, followed by colourful cultural performances by local school bands. The performances added a festive atmosphere to the sporting event and highlighted the participation of young talent from the region.
The first knockout match of CPL 2026 was played between Sheeri Blasters and Downtown Bijbera, marking the beginning of the high-pressure phase where teams will compete for a place in the final stages of the tournament.
The Chinar Premier League has emerged as one of the biggest sporting initiatives connecting young athletes across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
The league provides a competitive platform for aspiring cricketers to showcase their skills while encouraging teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship.
The 2026 edition witnessed record participation, reflecting the growing popularity of cricket among youth in the region. The tournament attracted around 1.6 million viewers, involved nearly 1,600 athletes and featured 79 teams competing across 81 matches at eight different venues.
The participating teams were selected from 130 applicants and organised into 26 pools during the league phase. After intense competition, 32 teams secured their place in the knockout stage.
The Chinar Premier League is being organised under the initiative of the Indian Army in partnership with BCF. The tournament aims to go beyond cricket by encouraging youth engagement, social interaction and community development through sports.
The league focuses on creating opportunities for young players from different regions to interact, compete and build stronger connections.
Through such sporting platforms, the initiative seeks to encourage positive participation among youth and promote a culture of achievement, confidence and teamwork.
Senior Officials Attend Grand Opening Ceremony
Several senior officials from the administration, Army, police and sports departments attended the opening ceremony.
The event was attended by Major General Manoj Joshi, General Officer Commanding of Dagger Division; Baramulla Deputy Commissioner Dr S.F. Hamid; Brigadier M.B. Singh, Commander of 79 Mountain Brigade; Gurinder Pal Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police Baramulla; and the Commanding Officer of 46 Rashtriya Rifles.
Officials from the civil administration, security forces, Youth Services and Sports Department, sports personalities, players, students and local residents were also present during the programme.
The growing success of CPL 2026 highlights the increasing role of sports in bringing communities together and creating new opportunities for young talent.
The tournament has provided a common platform where players from different regions can compete, learn and develop their sporting abilities.
With the knockout stage now underway, excitement among fans is expected to increase as teams battle for a place in the final rounds of one of the region’s most watched cricket tournaments.
The Chinar Premier League 2026 continues to represent the power of sports in encouraging youth participation, strengthening social bonds and creating a positive environment for future sporting talent in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
