Srinagar: To unearth the hidden talent in all corners of the state including remote areas, a mega football event – J&K State Football League – 2017 is being held across the 22 districts of the state these days. The event is being organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) under the auspices of State Sports Council and on the directions of All India Football Federation (AIFF).
More than 500 football teams and clubs with over 12000 players and over 1500 team officials are participating in the mega event, first of its kind in the history of J&K football.
The league competitions in all 10 districts of Kashmir and all districts of Jammu province except Jammu district are underway. The preliminary rounds of the premier division matches in Srinagar are set to start from August 26 at Synthetic Turf Football Stadium at 4:30 pm. The first six toppers in premier division league will battle it out with champion teams of 22 district later on.
The first match of preliminary rounds of premier division is scheduled to be held between J&K Police XI and Real Kashmir FC on Saturday. Prior to that ‘A’ Division match shall also be played on the same day.
The premier division teams include JK Bank XI, Forest XI, Police XI, Food & Supplies XI, Accountant General’s XI, Maharaja FC, Iqbal FC, I-League Lone Star KFC, I-League Real Kashmir FC, Power Development Corporation and State Football Academy are participating in the event.
DFA Srinagar, DFA Anantnag, DFA Baramulla, Sopore Zone and Pattan Zone, DFA Budgam, DFA Kulgam, DFA Shopian, DFA Pulwama, DFA Ganderbal, DFA Zone Kupwara and Handwara, DFA Bandipora Zone, Hajin Zone, DFA Kargil and DFA Leh will send their teams for Kashmir province after the culmination of district leagues.
Similarly, DFA Jammu, DFA Kathua, DFA Samba, DFA Reasi, DFA Udhampur, DFA Rajouri, DFA Poonch, DFA Doda, DFA Ramban, DFA Kishtwar will send their respective teams from Jammu province.
The participating teams have strength of 20 players each with three officials. Besides Srinagar, the matches are being played in Anantnag, Baramulla, Sopore, Bandipora, Pattan, Hajin, Handwara, Kupwara, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Ganderbal, Budgam, Leh and Kargil.
The JKFA has requested all the clubs and teams to cooperate and participate in the event in full strength. The event is being sponsored by the State Government through J&K Sports Council. A spokesperson of the JKFA while thanking the Government for sponsoring such a mega event said, “We are thankful to Chief Minister Mehbooba Muftiji, Finance Minister, Dr Haseeb Drabu, Minister for Youth Services and Sports Molvi Imran Raza Ansari and Secretary Sport Council Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra. The funds for the event had been earmarked by the Government during the Budget session in January.”
He said that after the culmination of district level and preliminary matches of premier division league, the state level event at Synthetic Turf Stadium in Srinagar will be inaugurated by Sports Minister Molvi Imran Raza Ansari
“The winner and runner up teams at district level and inter-district and state level shall be awarded cash prizes and merit certificates. The sports gear and sportswear shall be provided to all the participating teams by the JKFA. Besides the players will also be provided refreshment and other facilities which includes, financial help to two I-League teams of the state as well,” the spokesperson added.
