Srinagar, Nov 28 (UNI) Former Indian cricket team captain M S Dhoni, who is currently in the valley, on Tuesday visited Delhi Public School (DSP) in this summer capital and interacted with excited students, particularly specially-abled children, and teachers.
Dhoni also enjoyed a game of volleyball with Army officers and Jawans deployed in south Kashmir, which continues to remain a hot bed for militancy.
“It was dream come true for us to meet the former Indian captain. He is a very down to earth. Even though he stayed for only 10 minutes, he met children and listened to them patiently,” a teacher from DPS told UNI.
Dhoni, who holds an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel, met specially-abled children at the Special Educational Needs Department of the school. “Dhoni lauded the school for organizing a friendly cricket match for specially-abled children and hoped that such events will be held in the future as well,” the teacher said.
Dhoni said that such events will help these children to develop confidence and be a part of the mainstream.
Dhoni also met players from various sports, including Tong-IL-Moo-Do (Unified martial arts), cricket and hockey. “Dhoni emphasised the importance of education and sports during his interaction with us,” a student told UNI.
The former Indian cricket team captain also met various students, who have won medals at national and international level.
Since his arrival in Kashmir on November 22, the former Indian cricket team skipper has been busy with interacting with children and budding players of the valley.
On November 26, Dhoni had asserted that India-Pakistan series is not just sports but much more and said the Government was the best judge to take a call on whether to play a bilateral cricket series against the neighbouring country. “India and Pakistan series is not just sports, it is much more than that,” Dhoni told reporters during a press conference in Baramulla after final of Chinar Cricket Premier League, where he was the chief guest of the event.
Dhoni, while interacting with budding cricketers at border town of Uri in Baramulla yesterday, said that fitness followed by skills was the key to success.
He also interacted with budding cricketers of Uri town on Friday.
Dhoni also visited Army Public School (APS) located inside the Chinar Corps headquarters in the Badamibagh Cantonment in a low key and unannounced event on Wednesday.
Though the visit of Dhoni was kept secret, the Chinar Corps put out a photograph of the former Indian Captain with students on its Twitter handle late on November 22 evening taking everyone by surprise.
UNI ABS PS 1649