Srinagar: The second phase of the first Mufti Mohammad Sayeed (MMS) Memorial Football Tournament began on Thursday (March 15) with J&K Bank Academy, Srinagar and State Football Academy (SFA) winning qualifying matches on the first day.
After a hiatus of more than two months due to severe winter, as the event re-started at Synthetic Turf Football Stadium in Srinagar, the enthusiastic football fans in huge numbers had converged to the venue to witness the matches.
The first match of the day between J&K Bank Academy Srinagar and J&K Bank Academy Jammu started at 2 pm. In the high speed match Srinagar team defeated Jammu team by two goals to nil. In the first half no team was able to score as defence lines of both the teams kept the forwards at bay. Both the goalkeepers made some excellent saves denying the opposite teams of any chance to score.
However, in the second half, the Srinagar boys were determined to break the jinx and they managed to score two back-to-back goals in 61st and 74th minutes of the play. Ateeb was the star for the winning team as he scored both the goals. The Jammu defenders were helpless before his attacking play and he gave them no space to hide in the ground. Though Jammu boys tried to score and made valiant attempts, they failed to cross the final hurdle. As referee blew the final whistle, the shoreline read 2-0 in favour of J&K Bank Academy, Srinagar. Ateeb was declared as man of the match for his brilliant performance.
In the second match of the day, which started at 4 pm at the same venue, SFA XI defeated FC Bandipora by three goals to nil in a one side affair. The high speed and quality football displayed by the winning team players enthralled the spectators, who had come in huge numbers to cheer up their teams.
SFA XI took the lead in just first minute of the match through Touseef and they never looked back after that. The pressure on defence lines of Bandipora team was visible right from the start of the play as their players were more focused on saving the goals rather than scoring. Just two minutes before half time, Touseef doubled the lead. In the second half Bandipora team further tightened their defence lines and they almost managed to keep the SFA forwards at bay till the last minute of the match when Nayeem scored the third goal for the winning team.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Syed Abid Rasheed Shah (IAS) was the chief guest on the occasion. JKFA President, Zamir Thakur, Divisional Sports Officer, Nuzhat Ara, Joint Secretary Sports Council Nazir Ahmad, Sports Council member Prof B A Shah, renowned footballer Ishfaq Ahmad and other members of the JKFA were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, in Jammu region, the first phase matches of the MMS Memorial Football Tournament are going on at different venues. In Poonch district, City Club defeated Khalasa Club by five goals to nil in a one sided match. Similarly, in another match, Young Star Club Jhulas defeated Lion Club Chandak by 2-0. Additional Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Basharat Inqalabi was the chief guest on the occasion.
While in Kashmir region, first leg of the event, being organised 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), had started in August last year, in Jammu region first phase matches are going on. So far more than 1400 matches have been played in the event across the state. In the second phase, nearly 700 matches are expected to be held at different venues in J&K.
The aim of the tournament is to unearth the hidden talent in all corners of the state including remote areas. In Srinagar district 104 clubs/teams participated in the first phase of the event and 280 matches of premier division, super division, A, B and sub junior categories were held between August and December 2017.
Similarly, 107 matches were played in Baramulla, 99 in Sopore , 78 in Pattan, 54 in Kupwara, 66 in Handwara, 55 in Bandipora, 51 in Hajin 51, 77 in Budgam, 102 in Ganderbal, 27 in Pulwama, 59 in Pampore, 54 in Anantnag , 32 in Shopian 32 and 35 matched in Kulgam were played. And, 896 matches were played in districts/zones in the first phase of the event while 69 matches were played in inter-district category. The JKFA is holding 196 further matches of youth league in all 10 districts of the Valley.
In Jammu region, 128 matches of senior division and junior division were played in Jammu district in the first phase while 421 matches are either in progress or to be played in Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi, Samba, Kargil and Leh districts.
