Santosh Trophy likely in Srinagar this year

Srinagar, July 2 (UNI) The Santosh Trophy football championship is likely to be held here this year.

''Tentatively it has been allotted to us, but the final decision is awaited. the All India Football Federation will send its observers to check the infrastructure for organising such an event here,'' Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) President Zameer Ahmed Thakur told a news conference here.

He said the JKFA had proposed to organise Santosh Trophy here this year.

Thakur said the JKFA would also conduct super and senior super league football tournaments here from July 4.

The tournaments, sponsored by a private business house Al-Khudam Hajj and Umrah Services, would be played at the Polo Ground West and the Bakshi Stadium here, he added.

The JKFA President also lashed out at the government's lackluster approach in promoting football in the state.

''There is lack of infrastructure and facilities in the state. We don't have a dearth of talent, but have to provide facilities to players. Football was once considered the pride of Jammu and Kashmir and if we have to bring back that glory. There is a need to appreciate the budding footballers,'' Thakur added.

He said the state government should reserve jobs for football players as had been the case in the past and appealed to the media to play its role in highlighting the problems of footballers.

Thakur also urged the business houses to come forward in promoting the game.

''The JKFA has produced 25 international players since it was established in 1964. Four of our boys -- Mehraj-ud-Din Wadoo, Ashfaq Ahmad, Arun Malhotra and Johny Williams -- are at present playing for leading clubs of the country. This proves we have talent and it only needs encouragement,'' he added.

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