Goverment recognizes contribution of Kashmiri Olympian after 20 years

Honors Gul Mustafa Dev with state award

Abid Khan
Srinagar, Jan 27: Finally after 20 long years J&K Government recognized the services of only Olympian of State Gul Mustafa Dev by announcing state award for him for his contribution to sports in the state.
On the occasion of January 26 Republic Day, Government announced the state awards for 17 persons for their contribution in various fields of life, which included four sports persons. Those who figure in list are Mitali class 12th student for Gymnastic, Ram Singh Slathia for mountaineering, Ajay Sharma for table tennis and Gul Mustafa Dev for skiing would be honored for their contribution in the field of sports.
Gul Mustafa has got the credit of being only Olympian of state in any decline till date. He achieved that feat in February 1988 when he represented India in the Winter Olympic games in Calgary Canada.
Despite being the only Olympian of the state it took state Government more than 20 years to recognize the contribution of Gul and to honor him with state award. Gul is presently in Gulmarg training school students of various schools of state skiing as part of the Youth Services and Sports department snow skiing programe. He got news of award from one of his friend.
Talking to Greater Kashmir on phone from Gulmarg Gul Mustafa thanked government for finally recognizing his services.
He said, “ I am very happy and for this I am thankful to Government for recognizing my services in the field of sport. Though I think I should have got it very early but still I am happy that finally Government recognized my services”.
He said that getting state award is an honor and every individual aspire for it.“ It is an honor nothing more than that. Every state subject aspires for this honor and for it is now fulfilled and I am happy”.
Gul Mustafa a resident of Maharaja Bazaar Srinagar says, “ sports was in my blood and my father Haji Habi-ul-lah Dev was number one football goalkeeper of his times and was playing for Friends Club, seeing my fathers goalkeeping maneuvers Maharaja Hari Singh gave him the name of Habib Punz. After that every one knowed my father by this name”.
In February 1984 Mustafa participated in his first National games that were held in Gulmarg and due to his young age and lack of experience could not do well at these games. But in next years National game that were held exactly one year after the previous years nationals Mustafa proved his caliber by winning one gold in giant slalom and two Bronze medals in down hill race and slalom event. With his brilliant performance he was selected for Asian Winter Games that were held in Japan in February 1985 and Indian team got Fifth position there. In 1988 trials for Olympics were held in Gulmarg in which Gul got selection.
“To participate in Olympics is every sports persons dream but only few achieve it and to see my self-participating in reality, what I have not even imaged is the moment which I cannot describe” says Mustafa.
From 1993 Mustafa has trained more than 10,000 boys and girls in skiing at Gulmarg through the Skiing courses conducted by the Department of youth services and sports and among them many have participated in the national and international competitions.
Gul Mustafa has not only marveled in his sporting career but he has also given his full potential to the coaching profession as well.
In February 2004 Winter Sports of Federation of India selected Mustafa as a coach of sub junior team for junior Asian championship that was held in china.
About the scope of skiing in valley Gul Mustafa says, “Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg can hold worlds best skiing, and with the introduction of second phase of Gulmarg gondola skiing at high altitudes can be done that are more fascinating then doing in planes but the only thing needed to be done is to maintain and develop the slopes. It is not the snow and mountain that form ski slopes but slopes have different characteristics”.Skiing is the expensive game and every body cannot afford to by his own ski, the latest pair of ski costs around 50 thousand to one lakh rupees. Even our sports council has not got his own skiing equipments and they hire them from tourism department, he said.

published in greater kashmir on Janaury 28-2009 link: http://www.greaterkashmir.net/full_story.asp?Date=28_1_2009&ItemID=3&cat=4

On India’s republic day valley stadiums out of bounds for sportspersons

Abid Khan

Srinagar, Jan 25: Bakshi Stadium and Sheri Kashmir Indoor Stadium, the two main venues of Srinagar where hundreds of players practice daily have been closed for sports activities ahead of January 26 Republic Day celebrations.
On every January 26 and August 15, the stadiums are kept out of bound for players due to “security” reasons as parades for Republic Day and Independence Day functions are held here. Players of games like athletics, volleyball, thang-ta, judo, badminton and other martial arts practice daily and prepare themselves for different state and national events. From January 15, the players have been barred by security officials from entering inside.“I’ve been practicing in Bakshi Stadium for last three years and this problem happens every time on Aug 15 and Jan 26. It affects our preparations and takes toll at national championships. ” Said, Ubaid Shah, an athlete.“Bakshi Stadium athletic track is the only place available for athletes to practice in Valley, but vehicles parked by security forces during Independence and Republic day parades damage it and makes it injury prone. We are helpless and don’t know whom to contact,” he added. Officially the stadiums have been closed for players and coaches from January 20, but players were barred from entering into stadiums from January 5. Sports Council officials and coaches have been asked by security forces to stop training these days and convey students to come after January 26.“CRPF personnel asked us to stop training students till January 26 and from January 15 our students have not been allowed to enter into Indoor Stadium for practice despite having valid entry passes issued by Sports Council,” Sports Council instructor told Greater Kashmir.Due to heavy security presence outside the stadiums parents stop their children from going to practice due to fear.“I have stopped my son from going to the stadium to practices martial art and I’ll allow him only after January 26 as I don’t want to put his life on risk,” said Arshid Ahmad of Jawahar Nagar.
Sports fraternity have strongly reacted to the seizure of stadiums by the security forces in the wake of India’s Republic day.
General Secretary of J&K Sports Development, Riyaz Ahmad termed it unfortunate thing , which has been happening from last more than 20 years.
He said, “ It is not first time that stadiums have been kept out of bounds for the players of valley, it has been going on from last more than 20 years. It is unfortunate for the sports fraternity of valley that players are barred from practicing for about two months every year on the occasions of independence and republic day”. “Already due to harsh winter our players cannot practice regularly.”
He said that how could we expect medals from our players at national and international level when they aren’t able to practice regularly.
Another former athlete Mukhtar said that Government does not have sports high on its agenda and they don’t care about the up-liftment of sports.
He said, “Every political party which comes into power say that they have got sports high on its agenda but their slogans and assurances turn out as mere hoax as they don’t even care about it”. “The importance of the sports can be judged by the fact that new NC-Congress government doesn’t have as yet sports minister in its ministry.’
Joint Secretary Sports Council, Abdur Rouf said, “We have officially stopped our activities in the Bakshi Stadium from January 20 in the wake of upcoming Republic day celebrations. During these days only essential staff like electricians, ground staff and mangers will work there.”
About the deterioration of field that happens to due to these functions and the vehicles used in it he said, “The celebration and the vehicles used into parade really deteriorate the field turf and the athletic track around it. We are helpless, as we cannot due anything about it.”

Promotion of coaches as district in-charge flayed

‘HASTY DECISION WOULD MAR SPORTS IN KASHMIR’

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Jan 22: The J&K State Sports Council decision to handover the affairs of districts to coaches has come under severe criticism from the sports fraternity as they felt it would set in the rot in this already coach-starved sports body of the state. The Council reportedly issued an order wherein four coaches, one manager and one district-head have been promoted as in-charge officers for various districts. The order reads “they will now function as district in-charge and will undertake all the sports activities of district.” However, the new assignment is in addition to their current coaching task. “The appointments have been made in accordance with recruitment rules and the promoted will now act as district in-charges,” sports officer Kashmir, M S Baba said. The Sports Fraternity has criticized the Council for “taking the decision in haste without thinking about the consequences.” “We’re not against the promotions,” said a noted sports analyst, Sajid Hameed adding that any decision should go hand-in-hand with the safeguarding of the interests of a department. “These will serious mar sports in the valley especially when the number of coaches available with the Council is less.” He said the promotions have been effected without the appointment of new coaches. Another non-government sports body, the Jammu Kashmir Football Association, criticised the decision calling it detrimental to the sports in Kashmir. “The coaches deserve promotions but other related aspects have been ignored,” said an official of the Association, Fayaz Ahmad Sofi. He said the valley had several jobless coaches trained by the National Institute of Sports (NIS) who could have been taken. “We have a number of unemployed NIS coaches who should have been appointed before effecting these promotions,” he said. “The new government should initiate steps to streamline the Council to save the future of sports in the valley.” Even the officials of the Council seem unpleased with the decision: “The procedure and functioning of the Council in this case is objectionable,” said the joint secretary of the Council, Abdur Rouf. “I have no objection over the promotion of coaches but the decision will result in the dearth of coaches in the already ailing sports arena of the valley.” He said Jammu had more coaches compared to nine in the valley. “I don’t think they will be able to carry on with twin assignments with coaching being the prime one,” he said. He said that he had requested the secretary of the Council to halt the order until new coaches were recruited. He said the Council had set a wrong precedence and had done things such as these previously as well. “It is not for the first time that coaches have been appointed as district in-charges,” he said. “Coaches have been promoted as managers, under- secretaries and in-charges but they never delivered properly and were unable to do justice with their coaching assignment.” He said that such procedure should be abolished sooner than later.

published in GK on january 23-2009 : http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=23_1_2009&ItemID=3&cat=4

New era begins in valley's football with successfull conclusion of ISAT winter football tourney

Kashmir Mughuls, ISAT FC, ISAT-A Lift Trophies

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Jan 21: In the International Football Academy Trust (ISAT) winter special seven-A-side football tournament which concluded here at Polo ground today, Kashmir Mughals, ISAT Football Club and ISAT-A lifted the A-Division, B-Division and under-16 titles respectively at Polo Ground. Coincidentally, the outcome of all the matches was decided by tie-breaker.The day began with the under-16 final between ISAT-A and Young Football Club, Solina. The Young Football Club dominated the first half the match and were successful in scoring one goal. The sustained the lead till the end of the half time. In the second half, ISAT boys changed the gear and counterattacked their opponents ferociously but they missed several opportunities to score, however not before converting one into the equaliser. At the end of the match, the score was tied at 1-1. The outcome of the match was decided by tiebreaker in which ISAT defeated the Young Football Club 3-2 and lifted the U-16 title.In the second final of the B-Division between ISAT FC and Novelty, both teams played aggressively from the word go. Both teams scored a goal each in the allotted time and the outcome was decided by tiebreaker. In the tie-breaker, the ISAT FC converted four penalty strokes into goals while as Novelty scored only thrice. The ISAT FC lifted the B-division title, 5-4.The attraction of the day, however, was the crowd-puller final between Kashmir Mughals and Solina Greens in the A-division category. Both the finalists played attacking football from the word go with Solina Greens taking the lead by scoring first. Minutes later, Kashmir Mughals scored the equalizer--thanks to due to a mistake committed by Solina keeper. At the end of half time, the score was tied at 1-1.In the second half, Kashmir Mughals dominated the game and thwarted each move Solina players made and kept the ball under their feet all the time. Neither of the teams could score a goal in the allotted time.The outcome of the match was decided by tiebreaker in which five penalties were awarded to both the teams. Kashmir Mughals converted two penalty strokes into goals while as Solina Greens could convert only one thus losing the match 3-2. As soon as the last kick was taken, the whole team burst into jubilation and were joined by hundreds of spectators.The deputy commissioner, Srinagar, Mehrajudin Kakroo, who was the chief guest on the occasion, distributed prizes among the winners.Speaking on the occasion, he said, “I am really delighted to see football being played in winter in the valley. It is for the first time such an initiative has been taken and the credit goes to Brazilian Coach Marcos.”He said Marcos gave Kashmir football a new lease of life by keeping it alive in the winter. “I can say Marcos has given a new life to football in the valley and he has showed how to keep the game alive in winters.”He said that the climate conditions were adverse for playing football in the valley. “It is essential to keep sports activities going on all the time to achieve higher standards at national and International level,” he said.He said his administration was committed to promote sports in the valley.He stressed the need to strengthen the sports at grass root level: “In order to make a mark at the national and international level, we need to catch players young.”Former footballers and fans praised Marcos for his efforts. Muhammad Ismail Chapri who has been associated with football for the last 60 years, termed the tournament as a milestone in the history of football in valley. “It is a new beginning for which the entire credit goes to Marcos,” he said. “He has shown us a way forward to keep the game going on all throughout the year.”Similar views were expressed by another former player and senior member JKFA, Mushtaq Ahmad Kanth.One of the spectators, Irshad Ahmad of Dalgate said that he had been watching football from his childhood but never saw any tournament being organized in winter.Delighted over the heartening response the tournament received, Marcos said he had never thought the tournament would be a great crowd-puller. “Over 40 teams participated in more than 100 matches,” he said. “The level of competition in each game was high.”He said the future of football in Kashmir was bright.He thanked the J&K Football Association and grounds manager of the Sports Council for their support in organizing the event.

published in greater kashmir on january 22-2009 link: http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=22_1_2009&ItemID=2&cat=4

Feature: Srinagar Girls Play Football

Popularity of football in India is on the rise and Indian girls are eager to jump on the ship. Abid Khan reports from Srinagar on a unique football tournament exclusively for girls…..

Abid Khan

The girls of Srinagar district have created history by participating in the first ever Inter District girl's football tournament that has kicked off at the Bakshi Stadium on Friday in which eight district teams from the Kashmir province participated. This was the first ever girls’ Under-19 football to be organized in the valley. Last year girls from J&K participated for the first time in the national school football tournament, the girls from Kashmir comprising of only Srinagar based girls. Taking clue from that, the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports department this year decided to organize a football tournament for girls. Setting standards for the rest of the districts, girls from Srinagar were the first to start playing football. The District Srinagar Youth Services and Sports Department first organized a month long coaching camp for the selected girls in order to prepare them for the match between Kargil girls and Srinagar girls. But as the Government was dissolved the match too was abandoned. Now as the dates for the Inter District tournament were announced, the same 20 selected girls, who have already learned almost all the basic skills of football, had been training at the Biscoe School ground daily from July 26 under the guidance of Youth Services and Sports department coach Mushtaq Ahmad Dar. Giving details about the camp Mushtaq said,"It is second time that I am training these girls. This time it is easy as compared to the first instance. That time girls the did not even how many players there are in a team, what the penalty area is and all the other related basic points. I had to teach them both theoretically and practically. First I taught them all the rules of the game and after that they started to play." Mushtaq says that it was only because of the dedication and will of these girls that they are playing football today, "It was never easy to make them play football but from very first moment of the coaching all the girls were interested in it. They wanted to play football and that made things easy for them. Outside the field they exchange jokes with each other but once they are on the field things become serious that shows how seriously these girls take football.” One of the participants, Farhana Fareed of Girls Higher Secondary School Kothi Bagh, said,"I started to play football last year and represented my state in National School Games. At the time I knew nothing about football and had seen it only on television. But once I understood the rules and other things involved it I started to like it. If I don't play it for few days I start to feel awkward." Another participant, Usha, gives credit to coach Mushtaq,"I would have never imagined that I would be playing but it is all because of coach Mushtaq who motivated not only me but all of us. At times he was bit harsh on us but most of the time he treated us with softness. He always said to us that we should be focused the job that is given to us on a particular day and it is because of that we learnt playing football." The team was made up of these players: Bisma Ali, Geetu Thapa, Farhan Farid, Nazima Hassan, Rukhsana, Sozya, Nusrat, Nuzhat Hamid, Anjum, Nuzhat, Vidya, Usha, Zeenat, Naomi Mushtaq Ahmad (coach).

published in goal .com on august-6-2009 link : http://www.goal.com/en-india/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=807698

Sports Council coaches accused of lackadaisical approach

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Jan 20: In spite of the services of nine coaches and five instructors available to the J&K State Sports Council, no sports activity under its aegis has taken place for quite sometime now. “Sports activities have virtually come to a standstill in Kashmir,” said a senior official of the Council who wished not to be named. “It is an irony that not a single camp is being held in any discipline right now.” The Council has two hockey coaches, one posted at Bakshi stadium and the other at Budgam but no event was held in the previous year has indicating the level of seriousness of their assignment. Two judo coaches, one at Islamabad and the other at Bakshi Stadium, have failed to revive the sport which is fast losing its foothold in the valley. The Athletics coach posted at Pulwama is on earned leave presently. “The fact that not a single athlete of either the state or national level has been produced during the last six years speaks of the performance of the athletic coaches,” sources in the department said. “The lack of coaching has forced many athletes to abandon the sport.”In Kho-Kho, there is one coach posted at Bakshi Stadium but the activities are organised by the department of Youth Services and Sports. “Not a single coaching camp was organised by the Council in last two years,” the sources said. In weightlifting, the Council has one coach posted at Bakhshi Stadium but the activities have been taken over by the Weightlifting Association. In the most cherished sport of the valley, football, the activities seem as if hijacked by the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association and other private clubs. “Despite a football coach available, the Council is fatigued by lack of commitment,” sources said.In Wu-Shu, there is one instructor and despite the immense martial-art talent available in the valley, Wu-Shu players have not been able to come to the expectations. Similarly in Thang-Ta, the Council has one instructor. Despite the Thang-Ta Association winning medals at the national level, the Council has failed to make a mark in the sport.In the lesser known sport, Ball Badminton, the instructor has struggled to find a role for himself. “The coach is engaged with the activities of the association rather than training the players,” sources said.Likewise, swimming and skiing instructors of the Council have failed to initiate their activities.“The coaches and the instructors are drawing their salaries for doing nothing,” said a senior official of the department pleading anonymity. “Though we have fewer coaches available in comparison to Jammu, they are not doing their job. The Council has failed to produce a single sportsman so far.”He said the Council had organised a coaching carnival way back in 2000. “Thousands of players took part in the carnival,” he said. “All of hoped that Kashmir would prove itself a sanctuary of sports persons.”He said within no time, the coaching camps became a thing of past and the stadia wore a ghostly look once again. “The coaches seem pleased by their lackadaisical approach,” he said.One of the former athletes, Rouf Ahmad, said the coaches were busy in organising activities of their own associations. “They make good money by indulging in activities of their associations,” he said.He said if some one could come all the way from Brazil to organise activities in the winter why could our coaches sit back and relax: “Winter has been a big excuse here, but the Brazilian coach has proved them wrong,” he said while referring to the football tournament being organised Marcos. He said the coaches in Jammu have toiled hard to lift the standard of sports there. “If they can organise activities uninterruptedly, why cannot our coaches organise even a single coaching camp in a year,” he said. “They have confined their activities to accompanying teams for national events just for the heck of it.”NIS football coach, Sajid Dar, blamed the Sport Council administration for the mess. “The administration has failed to assign them regular assignments,” he said. “The coaches wouldn’t sit lazy if they get assignments on regular basis.”

published in greater kashmir on Janaury 21-2009 linl : http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=21_1_2009&ItemID=6&cat=4

Samiullah in North Zone team for Duleep Trophy

ABID KHAN

Srinagar, Jan 17: Speedster Samiullah Beigh has been included in the North Zone team for the prestigious Duleep Trophy, which is scheduled from January 22. Without disclosing the names of players, the North Zone selection committee today said the squad would be led by Akash Chopra while as Amit Mishra has been chosen as vice-captain. The committee meeting was held at Chandigarh with Yashpal Sharma in chair and was attended by Chetan Chauhan, Sunil Dev and representatives of North Zone teams. The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association was represented by its secretary Saleem Khan. Confirming Samiullah’s inclusion in the team, Saleem said, “It is matter of pride for the Valley us as the fast bowler has been selected second consecutive time for the tournament”. “I hope he performs well and impresses national selectors,” he said. Saleem said the selectors have not announced the team yet. He said, “The committee was waiting for the announcement of Indian cricket team and was holding back the names of other players in the North Zone squad”. When contacted, the fast bowler expressed happiness over the selection. “It is great to see myself in the squad. I got a call from JKCA secretary today about the selection,” he said. Samiullah thanked the JKCA president, Dr Farooq Abdullah and secretary, Saleem Khan for their support. The speedster said his aim was to play for Team India and IPL. “I have performed up to my full potential in the Ranji Trophy” In the five Ranji Trophy matches this year, Samiullah took 25 wickets with two five-wicket hauls. Apart from bowling he has also contributed with bat and scored 61, 48, 44, 42, 40 and 33 in respective matches. The fast bowler also contributed to the JK team success against Haryana. He took nine wickets and scored 52 runs in the match. In last season, he took 24 wickets in five matches with two five-wicket hauls and scored 137 runs. In Ranji test matches, Sami has taken 49 wickets with an average of 4.9 wickets per match. Despite such brilliant performance, he was not picked for Zonal team. It was only after the JKCA intervention and pressure from cricket fraternity that he was selected for the team. This year, Duleep Trophy will be played on knockout basis. South Zone and Central Zone, the teams placed at the bottom of their respective groups last season, will play a qualifying match in Bangalore from January 22. The winner will take on defending champion North Zone in the first semi-final, while East Zone will clash with West Zone in the second match. The final, scheduled on February 5, will be played in Chennai.

published on Janury 18-2009 link :http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=18_1_2009&ItemID=2&cat=4

Who will be sports minister?

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Jan 15: The sports fraternity of the valley has urged the new chief minister, Omar Abdullah, to handover the sports ministry portfolio to a minister who would lift the standard of the sports in the state.The new government led by Omar Abdullah is likely to expand the cabinet soon and the question as who would be given the Sports minister portfolio remains to be seen. During the coalition government, the post was handed over to four different ministers who according to the experts of the field were ‘square pegs in round holes.’ “They made promises only but did nothing,” said a Sports Council official who wished not to be named.The sports fraternity is looking at him with high hopes. They hope that the new CM being a sports lover himself would promote sports in a big way and will appoint someone with a good know-how of the discipline as sports minister: “We expect the CM will keep sports among his priorities,” said n official of J&K Football Association, Fayaz Ahmad. “Sports have been neglected during the last six years. Those who held the portfolio knew nothing about sports.”He said that the new sports minister should have enough knowledge about the sports. “We hope the new minister would be dynamic and will make Sports Council and other sports bodies accountable,” he said. The Sports Development Association hopes that sports arena of the state will touch new heights during the next six years. “The new minister will have six full years to look after the sports,” said secretary Sports Development Association, Riyaz Ahmad. “During this period, he can develop the sports infrastructure and bring new policies.”The Dalgate Sports Fraternity secretary, Sajid Dar, said that the new minister should be envisioned enough to take pragmatic steps for the improvement of the sports in the state.
published on janury 16-2009 link :http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=16_1_2009&ItemID=5&cat=4

Experts, fans decry poor performance of JK Bank’s football team

CRITICISE INCLUSION OF OUTSIDE PLAYERS, WANT MANAGEMENT OVERHAUL

ABID KHAN

Srinagar, Jan 16: The JK Bank football is facing a threat of losing its supremacy in the football arena of the state after being beaten comprehensively by the Police junior team in the final of Christian gold cup in Jammu recently. The highflying football team of the bank consists of two foreign players and three from outside the state plus the highly talented players of state.The team was rated as favourites for the gold cup and everyone expected that the bank would run through the junior Police team. But the outcome of the final shocked everyone. It is not the only defeat that JK Bank faced in recent times. They have been going through a bad run for quite some time now. They were knocked out of the national level tournaments, Durand and Federation Cups in the first round followed by two humiliating debacles including a loss in the Sikkim Gold Cup. These were The team management attributed the losses saying the completion was tough while forgetting that they had two foreign and three outside the state professional players in their ranks.That they tasted defeat at the hands of a low-profile Police junior team standing nowhere to the kind of facilities, coaching, monetary benefits and perk they got speaks volumes about their decline. The persistent disappointing performance of the team has raised many voices that include fans, experts and former players against the team and its management: “It is disappointing that JK bank is losing its grip on the game,” said a senior player. “Having earned a respectable name, they have ruined it all in the current season.”Their performance, he said, had been quite good with two or three outside players not long ago but one wondered what happened to the team considering half of the team comprised players from outside. “The continuous defeats despite half a dozen players from outside mean we have comparatively better talent available within the state,” he said. “I don’t think we require outside players.”He said that Kashmiri players like Meraj-ud-din Wadoo, Ishfaq Ahmad and Arun Malhotra earned a respectable name while playing in renowned national clubs. “What more proof do we require of the exceptional talent,” he said.A renowned sports analyst of the valley, Sajid Hameed, commenting on the Bank’s miserable performance said:“It is not bad only for the bank but for the whole state as such. A downgrade performance such as this will send a wrong message to the whole country that JK lacked football talent.”He said the Bank had been a champion and represented the whole state. “Everyone expected a decent performance from them,” he said. “The team needs a transformation. The blame goes on the coach and the management.”The fans of the game are disappointed alike by the lacklustre performance of the players: “The Bank has been performing low for quite some time now,” said a football fan from the old city, Showkat Ahmad. “The recent defeat at the hands of a junior team is really a humiliating one.”They raised the question of the inclusion of outside players in the team: “What’s the fun of hiring foreign players if they’re unable to perform,” said Ubaid Ilahi of Nowhatta. “Considered giants here, two Nigerians and four outside players could not salvage the honour and reputation of the team which had previously been on a winning spree in their absence.”The Bank’s sports board member, Muhammad Amin Khan, refused to comment on the performance of the team. “We have not received report from the manager and the coach yet,” Khan told Greater Kashmir. “As soon as the report comes, we’ll have a word on that.”

pub;lished in Greater Kashmir on janaury 17-2009 link :http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=17_1_2009&ItemID=20&cat=4)

Judo losing foothold in Kashmir

Players Accuse JKJA, JKSC Of Bias Towards Kashmiri Players

ABID KHAN

Srinagar, Jan 15: Judo categorised as A-class sport of the state is losing its foothold in the valley with each passing day due to the alleged discriminatory attitude of the J&K Judo Association and the J&K Sports Council. Ironically, it is the responsibility of both the JKJA and JKSC to lift the standard of the sport in the state. However, the valley-based players alleged that their Jammu counterparts were better placed in terms of the facilities being provided to them and the quality of infrastructure made available at their disposal. National player and undefeated state champion, Khursheed Ahmad Bhat, said that the ‘discriminatory attitude of the authorities’ marred the sport to the extent of being wiped out altogether. “Jammu-based players get round-the-clock facilities in the indoor stadium,” he said. “The coaches are always ready to fix technical issues there.” He alleged that the quality of coaching here was inferior and the infrastructure inadequate. “The practice venue here is more of a junkyard which has been occupied by the paramilitary CRPF,” he said. “Due to the presence of military personnel in the indoor stadium, we have to face numerous hardships.” He said that the players had been asking for shifting the practice venue but to of no avail. “Regular practice is the only key to raise the standard of the sport,” he said. “Security forces posted in the Indoor stadium have put several restrictions on the players, besides the condition is so unhygienic there that it is detrimental to the health of the players as scores of them have fallen sick.” Khursheed, who started playing in1994, has been forced to abandon the sport. “I opted to play when no one participated in any sports here,” he said. “I continued to play and won medals for the state. It is all because of the players from the valley that Judo is a medal winning A-class sports discipline in the state. In spite of this, the Association, which is based in Jammu, helps players from Jammu only by providing them all kinds of benefits and facilities.” He said despite the lack of facilities and support, Kashmir had unmatched talent for judo. “We knock them out in competitions quite comfortably and win medals for the state,” he said. “But we are not encouraged at all.” A dejected Khursheed had no option but to concentrate on his studies and leave the sport. “I was among the players who kept Judo alive in the valley and made it a medal winning sport,” he said. “However, we have been let down by the authorities. We’re not provided the kind of facilities our counterparts in Jammu got despite being more meritorious.” He said the Association did not bother about calling players for participation in the national events in time. “They just fulfil the formality when the trials begin,” he said. “It is impossible for us to go for the trials to Jammu on a short notice. Khursheed sees a deliberate ploy in it to hold back the valleyites. “They do it just to debar Kashmiri players from participation because they know they can perform better,” he said while referring to one Umer Hamza. “Umar helped JK to qualify for the national games but all these years he has left all alone without getting a call.” He said Umer was the star Judo player of state and it was his solo effort that helped JK to qualify for national games,” he said. “He needed the support of the Association to reach to the international level but they never cared about him. They even don’t invite him for the trials. It is because of his own contacts in other states that he gets to know about the championships dates.” “Since 1998 not a single championship has been held in Kashmir,” Khursheed said. “Why are all events taking place in Jammu only,” he questioned. Another former player, Imran Ahmad, a national medallist left Judo in year 2000 after seeing no future in it. “The discriminatory attitude of the Association forced me say adieu to judo,” he said. Sports officer, M S Baba, while admitting to lack of facilities in Kashmir told Greater Kashmir that the people who were at the helm of affirms had been sleeping over the matter. “We don’t have a proper place where we could train our players,” he said. “I’ll prepare a report about it and ask for the stopping of grants to the Association.”

publishd in greater kashmir on january-16-2009 link : http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=16_1_2009&ItemID=6&cat=4)

Will Samiullah make it to Team India, IPL?

‘JKCA SHOULD PLEAD FOR HIS SELECTION’

ABID KHAN

Srinagar, Jan 12: With another brilliant performance with both bat and ball in the Ranji Trophy tournament this year, the JK paceman, Samiullah Beigh, has emerged as a strong contender to win a place for himself in the Team India and Indian Premier League. Many wonder if the Jammu Kashmir Cricket Association would plead his case before the Board of Cricket and Control in India for his entry into the national squad. Samiullah performed with both ball and bat for his team in the Ranji trophy this season. He performed even better than the professional players whom JKCA had hired to save JK Cricket from embarrassment in the tournament. In the five matches he played this season, Samiullah took 25 wickets with a two-time 6-wicket haul at an amazing economy rate of 2.7 runs. In the batting discipline, he scored 274 runs with average of 27.4 runs in five matches with notable notches of 61, 48, 44, 42, 40 and 33. In the only win the JK team registered was against Haryana, Samiullah was the key. He took 9 wickets and scored 52 runs in the match. In the current season, he bettered his previous performance and won a place in the North Zone team last year. He had taken 24 wickets in five matches with two five-wicket hauls last year and scored 137 runs. The win against Goa was largely due to Sami’s brilliant performance. Goa needed 147 runs to win but they were bundled out for 141 runs with Sami taking six wickets in the inning. He took 49 wickets with an average of 4.9 wickets per match in 10 Ranji test matches. Despite that he was not picked for the zonal team not to talk of the Team India squad. It was only after the JKCA intervened upon the pressure of cricket fraternity that he was selected for the team. He was not given a chance to play though. Samiullah was not picked by the IPL instead another JK player, Mudasir was picked up by Kings-XI Punjab. With the IPL placements and zone selection round the corner, it remains to be seen whether Samiullah will be selected. The cricketing fraternity of the valley is blaming JKCA for their ‘lenient’ approach in pushing his case before the BCCI: “The JKCA are not the true representatives of the cricketers upon which the entire Association has been thriving,” said a cricketer. “You don’t expect the players like Abdul Qayoom Baqaw, Abid Nabi or Sami out of the national squad.” It was because of the dejection and the lack of support that Abid Nabi played in Indian Cricket League, he said. Abid was subsequently banned by the Association from playing in domestic cricket,” he said. Renowned paceman of the valley, Abdul Qayoom Bagaw who knocked at the doors of Indian selectors several times, said that Sami was the strong contender for his inclusion in the North Zone team and IPL. “During the peak days of my career, I helped JK in qualifying for the knockout zone single-handedly,” he said. “I was ignored by the selection committees. I was advised to change the team and I think I made a mistake.” Australian bowling great, Deniss Lilee, after seeing him in the MRF pace academy had remarked that if Samiullah would not be picked by the Indian team, he would be really unlucky. His colleagues in the Academy, Ishant Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Sreesanth, VRV Singh, Munaf Patel, Pankaj Singh have since long been a part of the Indian team. “I have done my job by giving whatever best I could,” Samiullah said. “I’ll be meeting JKCA president, Dr Farooq Abdullah, to seek his assistance.”

oublished in greater kashmir on January-13-2009 link : http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=13_1_2009&ItemID=4&cat=4 )

Wadoo to represent India in Hong Kong

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Jan 10: Star footballer of valley, Me’raj-ud-Din Wadoo has again found berth in the Indian football team as they take on Hong Kong in a friendly match on January 14. The 20-member Indian squad along with six officials left from Mumbai to Hong Kong today. Coach Bob Houghton announced the 20-man squad, which will play a friendly against the Hong Kong. The team was short listed from 29 men who attended the national camp. Amongst the notable absentees are East Bengal duo Syed Rahim Nabi and Surkumar Singh, who is injured and Churchill’s Govin Singh. They will be replaced by Mohun Bagan’s Rakesh Masih and Dempo’s Anthony Pereira. Speaking to Greater Kashmir Wadoo said, “The preparation for the Hong Kong game has been good.” Wadoo said that his selection in the team hasn’t been easy as many youngsters were knocking the doors. “Apart from performance in the I-League and Federation Cup, I sweat hard in the selection camp in order to impress the coach,” he said. Wadoo said, “By getting selected into the team, the Kashmir should feel proud as I am representing my homeland in the national team. I am making a statement to whole football fraternity of India that Kashmir football is still alive.” Wadoo hoped that in coming years, more and more Kashmiris would find place in Indian team as the number of players playing in I-League and Kolkata League is increasing each day. India had last played Hong Kong on February 18, 2006 in a friendly game in Hong Kong, which ended in a 2-2 draw. The Squad: Bhaichung Bhutia (c), Abhishek Yadav, Sunil Chhetri, Sushil Kumar, Subrata Paul, Subashish Chowdhury, Mahesh Gawli, Deepak Mandal, Gouramangi Singh, Anwar, Rakesh Masih, Samir Naik, Anthony Pereira, Steven Dias, N.P.Pradeep, Renedy Singh, Climax Lawrence, Clifford Miranda and Mehrajuddin Wadoo.
published in greater kashmir on janaury 11-2009 link : http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=11_1_2009&ItemID=6&cat=4 )

Valley coach selected for national club

Hilal Parray To Train Mumbai FC For One Month

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Jan 9: Not only footballers of the valley are making a mark in the national football arena but the coaches too, are regarded high by renowned clubs of India. The National Institute of Coaching, Patiala and AFC qualified coach, Hilal Ahmad Parry, has been selected by the Mumbai Football Club for one month’s internship during which he will be involved in training the players. The Mumbai FC club has sent a letter to the chairman sports board JK bank where Hilal works as assistant coach. He is presently posted at Branch office Pattan, Varmul. The letter reads, “As part of our development programme for budding coaches, we are pleased to inform you that we have selected Hilal Ahmad Parray, a qualified NIS and AFC ‘C’ on internship with Mumbai Football Club, Mumbai. The internship will offer exposure to a professional I-league club (Mumbai) FC which will go a long way to help him enrich his knowledge which he can implement at your end.” Hilal said that the club has selected him after monitoring his performance as part of JK bank coach and also on the basis of AFC ‘C’ results. “I had brief meeting with Mumbai FC on my previous visit to Mumbai when I was a part of JK Bank team,” he said. “They were impressed with me and I told them that I was runner-up in AFC ‘C’ course at the all India level, they were highly impressed and asked for my resume.” He said that the duration of the internship would be one month: “If they are impressed by my performance and knowledge, they will extend it,” he said. “Apart from learning latest techniques involved in professional coaching, I will also be imparting knowledge to the Mumbai FC players.” “I am really happy that the club has selected me for the internship and I would try to impress them with my performance,” he said. “During this stint I will learn lot of things that are involved in professional football coaching of I-league level and will try to use that back home.” He said that most impressing part of the internship would be learning how to make strategies for each game and how to employ them to perfection on the field. “We don’t make strategy for matches,” he said. “With Mumbai FC I will try to learn how they do it in the professional tournament like I-league. The stint will help me to to groom young footballers.” Mumbai FC is an Indian football club based in Mumbai. Their home ground is the Thakur College ground in Kandivali. It was launched in 2007 by the Essel Group which also launched the India Cricket League and they have roped in big names, such as manager, Henry Menezes and India international striker, Abhishek Yadav. The club was promoted from second division to A-Division in I-League to compete with teams like Mohan Bagan, East Bengal, Dempo in just one year. They upset both Mohan Bagan and East Bengal at Kolkata beating them comprehensively. The club managed to get the services of David Booth, an experienced international coach who has earlier been the National coach of Myanmar and Brunei. He also worked in the UK, Ghana, Vietnam, Thailand and Maldives. He is also a qualified AFC instructor and has enjoyed prolonged stints with leading clubs. Hilal said that his one month stint under the guidance of David Booth will help him a lot. Hilal started his career with inter-school competitions and within a short span of time, he achieved many successes. He joined the YMCA club and won many major tournaments. Hilal was selected by the JK Bank in 1997 and continued to play for its team till 2003. In 2003, he went for NIS training and passed the course with A-grade. Since then he has been part of the JK Bank football team as assistant coach. He has also represented the state in Santosh Trophy tournament twice. Hilal was part of many major wins like Sikkim Gold Cup, II-Division National League, LG Cup and many other national and state level tournaments.

published in greayter kashmir on january 10-2009 link : http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=10_1_2009&ItemID=6&cat=4)

Marcos helps to make football all-weather sport in Kashmir

Abid Khan

Srinagar, Jan 6: Brazilian coach, Juan Marcos Trio, who runs the International Football Academy Trust, said that he wanted to make football an all-weather sport in the valley. Marcos on Monday kick started the second edition of the ISAT winter special seven-A-side football tournament in a bid to promote the culture of winter football in the valley. “When I came here, I saw playing football was restricted to summers only,” he said. “The departmental teams shifted their base to Jammu forcing the game to a grinding halt during the winters.” He said that the cessation of the game during winters deteriorated its quality. “After studying the scenario of football for two years, I came to this conclusion that JK has failed to achieve what it deserved at the national level.” He said that the valley abounds with the football talent and many players have performed brilliantly in various national and international events. “It is the lack of facilities and the cessation of activities during winters which are harming the football here,” he said. Marcos said that he had to change the format of the game keeping weather conditions in view. “The activities cannot be the same as that in summers but they can go on with some little changes,” he said. “I have brought the seven-A-side format which is hugely popular outside India.” He said that players needed little effort in this format. “In the seven-A-side football, the width and length of field is shortened so for that players don’t apply themselves hard,” he said. “Private clubs should continue practicing in winters as well. It will help them improve their skills and reflexes and they will prove tough opponents to nay team.” He said the conditions in Brazil and Argentina were much worse but they still ruled the football world from many years. “They take their football seriously and continue their activities throughout the year,” he said. Satisfied with his efforts, Marcos, said the tournament received tremendous response from all quarters. However, he seemed upset with the J&K Sports Council. “Some of the officials there are creating hurdles,” he said. “I wanted to hold the tournament in Polo Ground which because of its central location would have attracted larger audience.” He appreciated the J&K Football Association in supporting his efforts which had reportedly pleaded before the Council to allow him hold the tournament at the Polo Ground.
published in greater kashmir on January 7-

2009 link : http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=7_1_2009&ItemID=4&cat=4

ISAT WINTER FOOTBALL TOURNEY KICKS OFF AT AMAR SINGH COLLEGE

MARCOS LAUDED FOR ENHANCING FOOTBALL QUALITY IN VALLEY
ABID KHAN

Srinagar, Jan 5: The second edition of International Football Academy Trust winter special football tournament organised by Brazilian coach Marcos kicked off at Amar Singh College Ground on Monday. Despite icy temperatures and dilapidated field condition, football enthusiasts in great number thronged the venue to watch the inaugural match. The tournament is being held under the auspices Jammu and Kashmir Football Association. Speaking at the inaugural function, Marcos, who runs the ISAT, said that he was in the valley to promote football, for which there was no dearth of the talent. “To be frank, the initial response was not all that encouraging,” he said. “I continued with my activities and trained youngsters almost on daily basis even during strikes and curfews. Last year’s tournament was a great success which encouraged us to include A-Division league this year.” He said 40 teams in under-16, B-Division and A-Division leagues are likely to participate in the tournaments. “We’re expecting a quality tournament this year,” he said. Appreciating the support of the Football Association, Marcos, however expressed some grouse against the Sports Council. “I’ve not taken any money from the players,” he said. “Apart from training, I’ve been providing equipment to the players. I don’t know why the Sports Council should feel unhappy about it.” The JKFA resident secretary, Professor Bashir Ahmad, lauded Marcos for his contribution in promoting football in the valley. “Marcos set the tradition of playing football during winters,” he said. “It has started a domino effect and more tournaments are being conducted during winters.” He said that Marcos efforts would go a long way in making football an all-weather sport in Kashmir. Senior football coach, Abdullah and State Road Transport coach, Nazir Ahmad Andrabi, also hailed Marcos for taking such an initiative. “Sports Council should be highly thankful to him,” they said. “It’s absolutely unfair that someone out there to toil hard for the enhancement of the quality of football is being discouraged.” Taking a dig at the Council for reportedly not allowing the tournament to be played at the Polo Ground, Abdullah said: “Look at the condition of the ground,” he said while pointing to the mud filled ground dotted with massive potholes. “I have told my boys not apply themselves too hard as there are chances of injury here. I don’t want any of my players to get hurt.” He said that some JKFA officials informed him that some Sports Council officials did not allow Marcos to hold the tournament at Polo Ground. “It is disheartening that the body that ought to promote the sports is against the promotion of football in the valley.” Later the professor shook hands with the players of the teams featuring in the inaugural mach and declared the tournament open. The inaugural match was fought by the ISAT-A and Crescent Football Club boys. The ISAT won the match 2-1. In the second match, Solina Club defeated Hyder Football Club 1-0. The second day is scheduled to include four matches of under-16 level. The first encounter would begin at 1pm.
(published in greater kashmir on Janury -6-2009 link : http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=6_1_2009&ItemID=4&cat=4)

Wadoo features in Indian camp for Hongkong tour

ABID KHAN

Srinagar, Jan 4: The valley’s international football star, Mehraj-ud-Din Wadoo, has been included in the Cuncolim, Goa camp for the upcoming friendly match against Hongkok scheduled to be held in Hongkok on January 14. Wadoo has been selected by the Indian team coach, Bob Houghton. Of these 30 players taking part in the camp, only 20 will be selected for Hongkok as a part of Indian contingent scheduled to leave on January 11. The players have been selected on the basis of their performance in I-league and Federation Cup. Wadoo said the competition would be tough. “I would need to work real hard to secure a place in the team,” he said. “I’m concentrating hard on my strong points as also on my fitness.” Going by the track record, Wadoo has been consistent with his performance. He scored the winning goal for the Indian team in the final of the South Asian Football Federation Cup played in Pakistan in 2005. This was followed by various tours to Portugal, Middle East and some Asian countries in 2007 and 2008. Wadoo was a part of all the touring teams which brought home success after success. The pick of the season was winning the Nehru Cup against Syria at New Delhi in 2008. The team was undefeated in the following tour to Portugal. Wadoo featured in the AFC cup team as well. India won the cup defeating Tajikistan in the final by 4-1 goals and qualified for the Asian cup after 1984. It was one of the biggest victories that Indian team achieved in football in the recent times. Wadoo attributed the win as the ‘greatest’ ever by the Indian team in recent years. “I am lucky that I have been part of each of the victories that came in our way in the last three years,” he said. About the nature of current tour and its importance Wadoo said that the coach had always been insisting on arranging more matches to improve the ranking.

Sports Council to check activities of unauthorised bodies

Asks Parents To Contact Office Before Sending Children Outside
ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Jan 1: The J&K State Sports Council has advised the parents of the players to contact it before sending them to participate in various national championships through various associations. “Parents should contact our office before sending their children’s for any national event,” sports officer of the Council, M S Baba, said. “We’ll guide them properly and save them from cheaters.” He said that many parents have approached our office previously when their children faced difficulties. “They only realise the mistake when it is too late,” he said. “We’ve a list of registered Associations and Unions and it is the responsibility of the parents to check whether their children have been sent outside by a genuine body.” Recently some parents had approached the Council in a case wherein some boys had been sent outside the state to participate in a yoga event only to discover that an unregistered sports body had organised the tour. He said that many unauthorised sports associations mislead the children on the pretext of participation in national events. “They often tell the innocent and gullible that they would be awarded with certificates which would help them in future,” he said. “It is a worrisome issue and parents ought to be careful.” He said there were instances when money had been extracted from the players. “They can go to any extent,” he warned. Cautioning the unregistered and bogus associations, the sports officer said that strict action against them would be initiated. “We’ll take serious action if a so-called sports association is found misleading the players,” he said. He said that such associations should, before hand, inform the players and their parents about the nature of their association. Many Associations have welcomed the step. “It is good to see the Sports Council taking the initiative to counter bogus Associations and other so-called sports-related bodies,” said the general secretary of Dalgate Sports Centre, Sajid Yousuf. “We have been doing our bit to caution players but they will listen to the Council in a better way.” J&K Sports Development Association general secretary; Riyaz Ahmad, described the step as a ‘great beginning.’ “We have always wanted a move like this from the Sports Council,” he said. “With over 100 sports associations operating in the valley, only 80 are registered with the Sports Council,” he said. “While only 50 have been recognised so far, this leaves many of them without their credentials been verified.” He said many bodies were functioning without any monitoring by the Council and leaves a great room for them to misguide the players.

(published in Greater Kashmir on January-02-09 and the link ; http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=2_1_2009&ItemID=2&cat=4 )

Wadoo, Ishfaq spend day with future footballers

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Dec 31: In a bid to boost the morale among the youngsters, international stars, Mehraj-ud-Din Wadoo and Ishfaq Ahmad, spent the day in playing with the budding footballers of the valley in the Biscoe School ground here on Wednesday. The duo is currently on vacation and both have decided to use the opportunity to spend their time with the young footballers to hone their skills. Meraj-ud-Din was keener to see the quality of football improve in the valley and has proactively been rendering his time to the players. “I want to make a full use of the vacation period to train the young footballers,” he said. “Two years back, hundreds of youngsters had benefited in the youth development camp held by the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association.”Expressing satisfaction over the abundance of the talent in the valley, Wadoo said that if proper facilities were extended to the players, many of them would represent India at the international level. “These kids have amazing talent and are ready to learn things and follow instructions.” Ishfaq, the main striker of India’s oldest club, Mohan Bagan, described youngsters as the mainstay of the game. “Apart from other things, such as, infrastructure etc, training is the key to the quality of football in the valley,” he said. “I’m a little disappointed that I cannot spend more time with the youngsters.” He said he and Wadoo would be training youngsters in the camp sponsored by Iqbal Sports. Amid the presence of international footballers, the Biscoe team was preparing for the Christian Gold Cup scheduled to be held in Jammu from January 1.Those watching the two greats play with the youngsters applauded their presence in the field. The players are being trained by NIS football coach Sajid Dar. “We’ve been practising here for the past two weeks now,” he said. “The players are good and are learning amazingly quickly.” Dar said that it was good to see Ishfaq and Mehraj spending their time with the youngsters. “It is not for the first time they have shared their experiences with the youngsters,” he said. “They have always readied themselves to help youngsters.”

( published in greater kashmir on january -01-09...link http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=1_1_2009&ItemID=5&cat=4)