Mufti Mohammad Gold Cup League phase 1: Ansari felicitates winners; declares 2nd phase of tourney open

By admin On Jan 4, 2018

Sports Minister Imran Raza Ansari posing with participating team and other officials.

STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Minister for Information Technology, Technical Education, Youth Services and Sports, Imran Raza Ansari felicitated winners of Mufti Mohammad Gold Cup League phase-1 and also declared second phase of the tournament open at GGM Science College here on Wednesday.
The Shaheen Club lifted the tournament by winning with shoot penalty in the final match played against Jammu United. A total of 16 teams from Jammu division participated in the first phase of the football tourney which is being organised by J and K Football Association sponsored by J and K State Sports Council. The remaining matches of 2nd phase of the tournament will be played at the respective districts of Jammu division.
The minister was accompanied by the DGP, Dr S.P Vaid, Commissioner Secretary YSS, Hilal Ahmad Parrey, Secretary Sports Council, Waheed ur Rehman Parra, Director YSS, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad, IGP Jammu, S.D Singh, President JKFA, Zameer Ahmad Thakur, Joint Secretary Sports Council Jammu, Shiv Kumar Sharma General Secretary JKFA, S.A. Hamid, Ex MLC, SM Gill, President DFA Jammu, Sheikh Mehmood, Kuldeep Singh, Ramesh Chander, Yusuf Don, David and Rajesh Sumbria.
The minister said that late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was a visionary personality who worked to connect people, regions and hearts of the people and constantly tried to involve the youth in development works of the State. “During his tenure he was keen to develop the sports infrastructure in the state and to connect maximum youth participation in sports activities,” he added.
However, the minister said that the government is trying to channelise youth energy in a proper way by involving them in sports activities.
“By organising such tournaments at the grass root level, football lovers will get a platform and youths can be motivated and their talents will get an exposure,” he added.
While speaking on the occasion, S.P Vaid, said that it has been our endeavour to hone the inner potential of youth of the state in a positive way and are finding better ways for their involvement in sports related activities. He also said that police department is tirelessly working to keep the youth of the State away from drug menace and other social evils. “Next year Police Department is going to organise the football tournament in Jammu province on the pattern of Mushtaq Memorial Football Tournament which is being held every year in Kashmir Province,” he added. Earlier, Z.A Thakur, President JKFA, in his welcome address, demanded the upgradation of the infrastructure especially the creation of play grounds in Jammu and adjoining districts. He also demanded an astro turf for Jammu region.
“JKFA is committed for the promotion of football in the State but due to lack of grounds and other facilities our players are still struggling to compete with other States,” he said. On the occasion, some veteran footballers of the State were also honoured. Later, minister felicitated the winners of the tournament and also distributed the sports equipments among the players. Vice President JKFA, Surinder Singh Bunty presented the vote of thanks.