JKFA plans to host Santosh trophy

Srinagar, July 26 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) has launched vigorous efforts to ensure that the National football championship for Santosh Trophy is held in Srinagar from September.

The JKFA has stepped up its efforts to convince the All India Football Federation (AIFF) not to change the venue in view of the recent escalation of violence in the valley.

Defending champion Goa and West Bengal have reportedly expressed reservation about the venue following the recent terror attacks in Kashmir.

Sources said the executive committee meeting of the AIFF will be held in New Delhi on July 29 to decide about the venue.

On July 22, two-member team of observers, including Alberto Colaco, General Secretary of AIFF visited the venues, which have been selected by the JKFA for holding Sanstosh Trophy matches.

During their visit Mr Colaco said they would prepare a detailed report about the grounds and other facilities for holding the trophy which will be submitted to the AIFF.

The AIFF would take a final decision after going through the report, he said.

Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Orissa have expressed their willingness to host the championship, but Haryana seems to be the frontrunner in case the AIFF decide to change the venue from Srinagar.

The Championship would be held in the Kashmir valley for the second time after a gap of 28 years. It was earlier held in 1978.

The three-week long National event would be held on three football grounds --- Polo ground (west), Bakshi Stadium and Amar Singh Collage---, the JKFA President Zameer Ahmad Thakur told UNI.

At a high level meeting here recently, he said the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad discussed the arrangements about the successful conduct of the championship.

The Chief Minister directed the authorities concerned for executing the work of developing playfields and other logistics at venues in double-shift so that these were ready well in advance, Mr Thakur Said.

UNI