STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: After cricket, football has again started gaining popularity in Jammu and Kashmir. An indicator to this is that earlier the game used to be played during summer months only but now events can be seen organised throughout the year.
This was stated by Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) President Zameer Thakur. “We have witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of youngsters interested in the sport in the past years,” Zameer Thakur told reporters here on Tuesday.
“We have prepared a strategic plan to raise the standard of football which includes grass root and youth development programmes, coach education plan and participation at national arena through l-League teams,” he said adding that under the strategic plan we have organised AFC ‘C’ License, AIFF ‘O’ License Coaching Courses and developed over 50 coaches from the State.
These coaches were given the task of training these children between the age group of 12-16 years, he said.
He added that JKFA efforts were further supported by J&K State Sports Council by raising State Football Academy in all the districts in J&K.
He said, on the proposal of JKFA, J&K State Sports Council organised Mufti Mohammed Sayeed Gold Cup State League Football Tournament in all the districts which was formatted on English Premier League pattern and was kick started on August 9 2017 at Srinagar.
“Inter District tournament of Jammu Province including Ladakh and Kargil will be played from January 4 in Jammu in which one team will qualify for final phase,” he said.
He informed that the final match of Jammu District League between Jammu United and Shaheen Sports will be held tomorrow at 2:00 PM at GGM Science College Jammu followed by inauguration for second phase of Inter District League of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed Gold Cup State League of Jammu Province.
Molvi Imraz Raza Ansari, Minister for Youth Service and Sports will grace the occasion as Chief Guest and Director General of Police (DGP) Dr S.P Vaid as Guest of Honour.
