SRINAGAR, JULY 13: One of the most prominent football teams of the country, Mohammadan Sporting Club, has arrived in Kashmir to give a push to the sport in the valley.
With a peaceful situation in the valley and football becoming increasingly popular with the youth, the authorities are inviting country’s prominent clubs to give a boost to the game.
“A 19-member team of Mohammadan Sporting Club were received by the Minister of Youth affairs and Sports, Mr. R. Chib, Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, Mr. Dilip Thusoo, Senior Officers of the Sports Council and representatives of the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association and other sports lovers at the Srinagar Airport,” an official spokesperson said.
Four years ago, Kashmir hosted the National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy with teams from various states across the country participating.
The visiting Mohammadan club will play a friendly match with the host team – Jammu and Kashmir XI – on July 15.
“The aim and objective of organising this friendly match is not only to expose the hidden talent of our youth, but also to provide recreation to the sports lovers of the valley,” Minister Chib said.
Sports activities are picking up in the valley with an increasing number of youth taking parts in events at the national and international level. Recently the valley witnessed Kashmir Premier League (KPL) – a localised version of the Indian Premier League or IPL.
The minister said he hoped that such events will prove beneficial for football lovers and of other sports as well.
