Mohammad Shafi Parra: North Kashmir’s famous cricket commentator
BY: Zeeshan
Freelance sports journalist Zeeshan in conversation with North Kashmir’s renowned English commentator Mohammad Shafi Parra from Chanderhama Pattan.
Parra is Post Graduate in Psychology, M.Ed and is presently working in Medical department as AFHC Councilor (NRHM). He has got flare for cricket commentary and the tone of his voice can be heard at most of the renowned cricket events held in North Kashmir.
Z: When did you hold the mike first time as cricket commentator?
MSP: The very first edition of SNW Cricket Tournament in 2003 marked my debut as a cricket commentator, and I was in the 10th standard at that time.
Z: Have you yourself played cricket at any point of time?
MSP: No, I have never played cricket at any point of time but the love to watch cricket was there within since my early age.
Z: Which international matches do you like the most to watch on TV?
MXP: Indo-Pak matches and Ashes lead the row of my favorite matches. Even the commentators become aggressive during these epic clashes.
Z: Whatinspired You to become a commentator?
MSP: I used to listen the radio commentary of International matches mostly the matches played between India and Pakistan and that impressed me the most to take steps towards commentary.
Z: Whom do You rate as the best commentators in international cricket?
MSP: Ravi Shastri,Rameez Raja and Sanjay Manjrekarhave always been inspirational. I think the trio is the best.
Z: You are a renowned English commentator, but tell us about any big event where you did hold the mike?
MSP: SNW is itself a big event.There is hardly any ground where I haven’t showed my presence as a commentator. People call me from different parts of the state for commentary. At state level events, I did commentary in the final of ‘State Football Tournament’that was organised by J&K State Sports Council at TRC Ground. Recently I was deputed to Sports Council for commentary in Mufti Syed Memorial Football tournament at Srinagar that was organised by State Sports Council J&K Srinagar.
Z: You are a popular English commentator in the valley, whom you would like to give the most credit that added to your popularity?
MSP: Credit goes to the game of cricket which gave me a chance to expose my voice through commentary. But I am very thankful to local media houses, newspapers, TV channels, sports websites and local sports journalists who always endorsed my presence at various events, providing wide publicity.
Z: Any honorable moment you had in the field of commentary which you like the most or strikes your mind repeatedly?
MSP: In my 15 years of career as a commentator, for sure I have had a number of memorable moments. Among those numerous moments a few strike my heart recurrently. I received the award for the best commentator from Joint Secretary J&K State Football Association Zameer Ahmad Thokar in the final match of Ghulam Mohammad Memorial Football Tournament 2017 that was organized by District Football Association Baramulla in collaboration with DFA Pattan.
Z: Any joyful commentary moment when you jumped in the air? (MATLAB , AAP USS YAADGAAR LAMHE KI WAJAH SE JAISE HAWA MAI UCHLE HOO ).
MSP: Yes, it was the final of SNW tournament (14th edition 2017) which was played between Star Sports Palhallan and Check Razak Khan in front of jam packed crowd and the guest of honors were the renowned personalities like Director Radio Kashmir Srinagar Syed HumayoonQaiser and President Affarwat-XI Sports Club/Cricket Analyst Zeeshan.It was a memorable and proud moment not only for me but for the whole village of Chanderhama. That was really a joyful moment for us.
Z: You did the commentary for all the 14 editions of SNW and you are the main witness of all the 14 editions.Out of 14 editions which edition was the most successful and whom you would like to give the credit for making the event such a success?
MSP: All the 14 editions were immensely successful because of the management of SNW.They worked tirelessly for the 14 years continuously to provide good cricket for the players of Kashmir valley. But the 14th edition was a different edition for us and especially for the spectators and the participants because the media gave a full coverage to the event. Colored uniforms with white balls were introduced for the very first time. The most valuable part of the event was that leading players from the state of J&K participated in the 14th edition like Mehjoor Ali ,ManzoorPandav, Imran Haroon, Raabi , Jehangir Lone, Raza, Nasir Parray,Aqib, WaseemKachur and many more were a part of the event and that thrilled the spectators as well. The credit for the success goes to the management of SNW Chanderhama especially Mohammad RafiqParray ( Ex-Chairman SNW ),President SNW Abdul Raqeeb Dar , Chief Patron Abdul Mujid Dar also working as Chairman Auqaaf Committee Chanderhamaand Mohammad Raqeeb Dar.
Exclusive coverage by media houses also highlighted the 14th edition of SNW. Without media it was not possible for the participation of the notable cricketers in the 14th edition of SNW 2017.Some of my friends from Saudi told me that the popularity of 14th edition was only because of the media involvement. Thanks to media houses and local journalists.
Z: Any famous personality whose attention you grabbed while doing commentary in a match?
MSP: Recently during the final match of Football Tournament at TRC ground Srinagar, Secretary Sports Council J&K State, Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra was quite enthralled and appreciated me also on social media (Facebook) as well.
Z: Ok, one final question; Have you ever gave up, when criticized?
MSP: Absolutely NO, I never gave up even when criticized. It is my passion and I will further improve myself to become even better in future.
Organizers are can dial 9596403555 to enjoy the melodious live voice of Mohammad Shafi Parra in their events.
Kashmir Images is an English language daily newspaper published from Srinagar (J&K), India. The newspaper is one of the largest circulated English dailies of Kashmir and its hard copies reach every nook and corner of Kashmir Valley besides Jammu and Ladakh region.
