Srinagar, June 8:
Football fans in the Valley will have a lot to cheer this
summer as nine leading Indian soccer clubs–out of which four have already
confirmed their participation–are expected to compete in a tournament hosted
here after three decades.
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| Photo Courtesy BBC |
The Jammu and Kashmir Bank is organising the tournament–All
India Gold Cup Tournament 2012–this September which will see high profile
football clubs in action.
The invited clubs include Mohamodean Sports, East Bengal,
Mohan Bengal, Salgaocar Goa, Churchill Brothers, Simla Youngs, FC Delhi, Logone
North East and Punjab Police.
So far, East Bengal, the giants of Kolkata football,
Salgaocar Goa, Punjab Police and Logone North have agreed to send their teams
to the Valley, the organizers told Kashmir Reader.
Kashmir used to be the hub of soccer activities till early
‘80s with massive fan following. Club football in specific would be the talk of
the town those days as jam packed stadiums would witness the football encounters
between the different football clubs.
Tafazal Hussain, Executive President and Chairman J&K
Bank Sports Board, who is one of the brains behind the idea, said that the
organizing committee has already sent invitations to nine clubs outside Jammu
and Kashmir. “This will be the first tournament of its kind hosted by Jammu and
Kashmir Bank which will start from the first week of September. Nine teams are
expected to participate in the tournament,” Tafazal told Kashmir Reader.
Besides top football clubs outside the valley, some of the
local clubs will also feature in the tourney. The qualifying tournament,
Tafazal said, will commence Eid-ul-Azha. “We will have some district teams
participating in the tournament as well.” He added that the J&K Bank will
organise with the tournament every year.
Kashmir last brush with a high profile club football
tournament came in 1984 when it played host to Federation Cup. Thanks to the
host of reasons, Kashmir couldn’t organise a big tournament ever since except
for Santosh Trophy that it hosted in 2008.
The tournament will be organised in alliance with Jammu and
Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) - the custodians of the game in the state.
Conforming the participations of different clubs of India
JKFA President, Zameer Ahmad Thakur said, “We have so far received green
signals from the teams like East Bengal, Salgaocar Goa, Logone North East and
Punjab police and rest are pending.”
The decision for the football club has been widely hailed
among the fans and senior football players.
Mohammad Haneef, one of the stalwarts of JKSRTC-one of the
most popular clubs of yesteryears — sounded a happy man. “Obviously I am happy
to hear this news. It will bring Kashmir football back to the limelight.
Hopefully, we will make this tournament a success,” said the former player.
Going through the memory lane, Hanief said, “It used to be
carnival like atmosphere when the leading clubs were playing. The fans cheering
for their favourite club would be an ad-on for the quality football. This
initiative to start the tournament will help to promote the sports culture and
also to restore the lost glory of the game.”
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