Gujarat has forgot football totally: SDFA

Surat, Sep 20 (UNI) Gujarat, home to many sports and has produced many world-class players, has forgot football totally, according to Kamlesh Dudhwala, president of Surat District Football Assocation (SDFA).

Dudhwala said football associations doesn't have their own ground for practicing the sport, due to which they have to depend either on civic grounds or rent grounds for organising inter school or college competitions.

There are grounds and infrastructural facilities for every other sport in Gujarat but state government has totally ignored football, he alleged.

The SDFA president also said condition of football players is not any better than the sport or its clubs. Many players have to balance with work and play, while some players are still searching for jobs.

Semi-government units and civic bodies are unable to provide jobs to football players, like those offered to cricket, swimming, kabaddi or hockey players, he said.

Dudhwala further said even national players have to do small jobs like SDFA players Nikunj Sailor and Mayank Soni distribute newspapers everyday in order to sustain their career in football.

Mayank, who is two times U-19 National player and Nikunj, who has been selected for state U-16 team have to distribute newspapers to earn extra income, he said.

''If such conditions prevail, then it is sure that some day, Gujarat will only be known for Industries and people will have to remember only cricket. Something urgently needs to be done to sustain the sport in the state and administration should think about it,'' Dudhwala added.

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