Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Mehjoor Ali Sofi has been issued the No Objection Certificate (NOC) needed to get a visa to play in county cricket in England following intervention from the state chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.
The 25-year-old was earlier denied the NOC by Iqbal Shah, general secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), on May 3 because of alleged internal politics in the state board.
However, the budding player was issued the document on Saturday after the CM’s intervention.
“As soon as the chief minister came to know about it, she intervened in the matter and ensured that Sofi is not denied an opportunity to further his career in England,” the official said.
He said that the chief minister was keen that the cricketer should play in county cricket and made sure he got the necessary document.
“She asked us to help and support Sofi in every possible way to make him realise his dream,” the official said.
“I got the NOC from JKCA after chief minister Mehbooba Mufti personally intervened in the matter,” Sofi said.
The cricketer, who has represented Jammu and Kashmir in one Ranji Trophy, four List A and five T20 matches, said that he was called by the CMO for a meeting on Saturday at her residence in Gupkar area in Srinagar.
“I went there and met her staff. I gave them a full account of what had happened, after which they called up JKCA president and state sports minister Imran Reza Ansari. The JKCA president told me to get the letter from the JKCA office.
“I reached the JKCA office along with the chief minister’s personal assistant who asked the general secretary to issue the NOC without delay, which he did,” Sofi said.
He said that after receiving the NOC, he had a meeting with the chief minister, who also issued a visa recommendation letter addressed to the British High Commission in New Delhi.
“The Chief Minister assured me of all help,” Sofi said.
The cricketer was invited by chairman of Easton Tigers Cricket Club to play as an overseas amateur player during the 2016 English season commencing on Sunday. It will go on until September 4.
Sofi said the chief minister told him that the government would help talented youngsters in the state.
“She told me that her government stands for extending help to the youth in achieving their dream. She also issued a recommendation letter addressed to the High Commission for my visa,” the pacer said.
Sofi would leave for Delhi on Monday.(Agencies)
