Valley boy craves for place in Team India

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Feb 26: An enthusiastic bowler, who was recently selected for the MRF Pace Foundation, is aiming for a place in Team India. Behzad Qureshi is an excellent speedster whose exuberance knows no bounds. He performed extraordinarily in the recently concluded under-16 national tournament, in which he took 23 wickets.He started playing cricket from only the last year before becoming a member of the Nigeen Cricket Club. “I worked hard at the club and it was during the club matches I was picked for the under-16 cricket tournament,” he said.He said he was inspired by JK pacer Samiullah who told him to join a professional club. “He gave me some valuable tips which helped me a great deal,” Behzad said. He took 23 wickets in the under-16 tournament which paved way for his selection for the Foundation. In the first match against Himachal Pradesh, he took nine wickets. In the second match against Haryana, he took six wickets. JK won both the matches. In the third match against Punjab, Behzad took only one wicket. JK lost that match. In the fourth match against Delhi at Feroz Shah Kotla ground Delhi, He took four wickets.Apart from the MRF Foundation, BBCI chairman of junior selection committee, Sanjeev Sharma selected him for Zonal Cricket Academy also.He was selected for the Foundation on the basis of his performance in the under-16 Vijay Merchant tournament. Along with two dozen budding pacers, Behzad spent three days in the Foundation where the Australian great, Dennis Lilee gave them few valuable tips on fast bowling.“The Board of Control for Cricket in India through a letter informed the J&K Cricket Association about my selection,” he said. “I was elated and looked forward to join the Foundation.” “On the first day, the Foundation videotaped the bowling of each participant,” he said. “Later Lilee played the footage before each one of us and pointed out the errors in our bowling. According, he recommended measures to overcome those.”The MRF Pace Foundation came into existence in August, 1987 with legendary Australian paceman Dennis Lillee at the helm of affairs. The Foundation is dedicated to bringing forth genuine fast bowlers for India.The Foundation nurtures cricketing skills of talented youngsters. The training extends over a period of a few years, during which the trainees receive inputs on correct diet, exercise routines and net practices.The training facilities at the MRF Pace Foundation include an Olympic sized swimming pool, and a Gymnasium structured to include specific workouts tailor-made for pace bowlers. The grounds offer 4 different wickets to simulate actual match situations - slow, moderate, quick and artificial.Besides Behzad, 48 young bowlers from all over India have been picked for the Foundation, however only 10 would be selected.“I worked hard in the Foundation and followed the schedule strictly,” he said. “I’m hopeful I will get a selection call.”For the time being, Behzad wants to join Amateur Cricket Club and to continue playing at the junior national level. “I am working hard on my fitness these days,” he said. “My ultimate goal is to play for India,” he said.The young fast bowler is thankful to his parents and the JKCA officials. “They have played a supportive role all the way,” he said.“He has performed exceptionally well at the national level,” treasurer JKCA and general secretary of ACC Club, Ahsan Mirza said. “We are hopeful that he will continue his performance in future as well.”

published in greater kashmir on Feb 27-2009 link : http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=27_2_2009&ItemID=7&cat=4

KU cancels tour for cycling tournament

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Feb 22: The University of Kashmir has cancelled the tour of its cycling team scheduled to take part in the inter-university cycling championship at Thirunatampuram, Kerala beginning February 24. Describing the cancellation as ‘tantamount to playing with their future,’ the selected players have criticised the university authorities for their ‘lackadaisical’ approach and demanded a probe into it. The former director of the Physical Education and Sports department, K A Tarzan, reportedly promised first ten cyclists of the inter-college cycle race held in November last year that they would be sent for the inter-university event. “We’ve been making regular rounds of the department to remind the authorities of their promise,” cyclist Anzil Mukhtar said. “We were amazed to know when they said the team simply can’t go.” He said all the selected players had been practicing hard for the upcoming event. “They [officials] can’t play with our future and emotions like this,” he said. “Earlier too, they had shown their reluctance to organise the inter-college race. It took all the players hell of an effort to persuade them for the event.” He said the success of the event compelled them to announce that the university would send its team for the national event. “They should have not raised our hopes in the first place,” he said. “They even announced a cash prize of Rs 5000 for the medal winner in the inter-university event.” He said the authorities were coming up with ‘lame’ excuses on the issue. “At first they were said fixture had not been finalised yet,” he said. “Now they say inter-college race was not held.” Anzil who is currently ranked number-1 cyclist of the state has won many races including the inter-college race with the best ever timing. Sources in the Sports department of the university said that the entry fee required to register the institution was not sent in the first place. “The reality is that they cannot make money out of this event like others,” they said. “The sport has no takers in the department, hence was out-rightly rejected.” They said the department was averse to the policies of its former head and cyclists had tp pay for that. Meanwhile, the J&K Cycling Association has strongly flayed the KU Sports department for ‘playing with the career of the cyclists’. “They [cyclists] work hard for the whole year ignoring their studies at times,” joint secretary Riyaz Ahmad said. “Cycling picked up in the valley in 1997 and the KU has not participated in any cycling event at the national level ever. It stopped holding inter-college events on a bizarre excuse that cycling was a dangerous sport.” He said the Association organised the inter-college cycling event without any injuries to any player. “Buoyed with its success, the former director announced a 10-day coaching for the selected players to prepare them for the inter-university championship.” Demanding probe into the cancellation of the tour, he said: “It is high time the higher-ups who boast of their extra-ordinary interest in sports, set the matters right in the sports department of the NAAC accredited A-grade University.” Attempts to contact officials of the concerned department could not materialise.

published on Feb 23 in Greater Kashmir: link http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=23_2_2009&ItemID=1&cat=4

Footballer Malik to get Rashtriya Gourav award

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Feb 20: Well known sports star and former general secretary of the J&K Football Association, Bashir Ahmad Malik, has been selected for ‘Rashtriya Gaurav Award’ by a noted voluntary organisation of New Delhi, India International Friendship Society for his contribution in the field of sports. The prestigious award would be presented to him at the annual function of the organisation to be held at New Delhi, according to a letter received by him from the organisation. “In recognition to your contribution towards the sports in the J&K state we are nominating you for our annual award. We are impressed with your contribution and the services in the field of sports and feel privileged to honour you,” the letter said. The India International Friendship Society is a voluntary organization established to forge greater unity and integrity among the people of Indian origin living anywhere in India or in any part of the world. To honour persons who have contributed in different fields of society, it organizes award ceremonies every year in Delhi The society has already honoured personalities like Mother Teresa, B D Jatti, M Fatima Devi, Justice P N Bhagwati, K B N Singh, Bhishma Narain Singh, G V G Krishnamoorthy, Vijay Mallya besides film artists Sunil Dutt, Dev Anand, Pran, Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, S P Balasubramaniam, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Sunil Gavaskar and several other eminent personalities. Bashir Malik has been active in the sports field of the state since 1980. He was a regular member of Iqbal sports football club till 1989 during which he represented the state in two national championships besides a number of other all India level competitions. He held the post of treasurer in the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association, Kashmir wing from 1996 to 2004. He was elected as general secretary of the JKFA in 2004. During his time, football touched new heights in the state. Apart from organizing Santosh Trophy, the state excelled in many events at the national level. He is the chairman of Iqbal Sports, a private football club which has given many a great footballer to the state including the international stars, Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Ishfaq Ahmad. Almost all the departmental teams have been its products. Malik is also a member of the J&K State Sports Council. Sports Fraternity of Dalgate has congratulated Malik for being selected for the honour.
published in Greater Kashmir on Feb 21: http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=21_2_2009&ItemID=4&cat=4

‘Fake’ power-lifting body picks players for national event

Abid Khan
Srinagar, Feb 20: A Jammu-based sports body has selected a 16-member power lifting team for the upcoming national championship to be held in Gurgaon from February 19 to 22 reportedly under the garb of the Jammu and Kashmir Power Lifting Association. The Srinagar office of the Association has distanced itself from the selection process and the team announcement. “Some matters related to the J&K Power Lifting Association are sub-judice,” joint secretary Bashir Ahmad said. “Until the court gives its verdict, the functioning of the Association is unconstitutional.” He said the real body carried the name of Anees Ahmad Chowdhary as general secretary in the records. “It is a disputed body which can’t hold even trials not to talk of selecting the players,” he said. “We don’t have even the names of those functioning in the Jammu office at whatever positions. The Sports Council should conduct a probe into its structure and functioning.” Describing as ‘unconstitutional’ the functioning of the Association, Sports Development Association president, Mukhtar Rasool Bhat, said: “It is a matter of great concern. The power-lifting Association is a state-level body and is obliged to give equal representation to all the provinces of the state.” Sources in the Sports Council said that the council did not recognise the body. “The selection of players was done without our authorisation,” a senior official of the Council said. “There’re other sports bodies based in Jammu who though pick Kashmiri players, do not organise events in the valley.” He warned if the trend continued it would mar the future of sports in the state.

published in Greater Kashmir on Feb 21: link http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=21_2_2009&ItemID=3&cat=4

JK’s only qualified cycling coach is jobless

Abid Khan

Srinagar, Feb 18: Cycling coach Ghulam Rasool Kawa has been making regular rounds of the J&K State Sports Council for a coaching assignment but to no avail. Kawa, a 2007- diploma holder form the prestigious National Institute of Sports, Patiala, has the distinction of being the only qualified coach in the state. The eligibility for the course which is considered toughest in the country is a Bachelors’ degree with a sound sports background. Fortunately, Kawa had both on joining the NIS. He had proven his mettle by performing brilliantly in five national championships. Kawa said the non-availability of a cycling coach in the state prompted him to go for the course. “After completing my graduation, I though I would go for postgraduation,” he said. “However, my coach advised me to go for the NIS course in cycling because JK had none.” The course involving both theory and practical is considered to be a tough one among various sports disciplines and is handled by some of the highly trained coaches of the country. “I passed the course with ‘A’ grade,” he said. Back home, Kawa immediately engaged himself in training cyclists from all over the valley. “I have trained almost 200 cyclists including Anzil Mukhtar,” he said. “My students have performed very well in many national championships.” Kawa participated in one of the toughest cycling events, the International Mountain Bike (MTB) held in 2007 at Chennai and bagged 10th position, 3rd in the Indian category. He got seventh position in the National Road Cycling Championship in the same year. In another MTB event in Chennai in 2008, he secured ninth place. Kawa was hailed for his skilful coaching many times at the national level. “During a national event at Chandigarh, one of the riders fractured his elbow. Coincidentally I was near by. I gave him treatment and he continued the race. The organizers felicitated me with shawl and cash prize,” Kawa narrated his experience. He said that apart from spending money on his training, he had put his soul into it. “I deserve a proper placement to sustain my own life,” he said. “Financial independence is the key to impart training without any hangovers.” He said he refused a job offer by a foreign company, Fire Fox, only to serve his community. Urging the Sports Council to utilise his services, the joint secretary of the J&K Cycling Association, Riyaz Ahmad, said it was a moral obligation on the part of the Council to provide him a job. “The Council had suggested us to send somebody for the training while giving job a job assurance,” he said. “We encouraged this gentleman to go for the course. He has spent a lot of money on this course.” He said that despite being jobless, Kawa has been imparting coaching to cyclists without fail. “Of late, our riders have been performing brilliantly in various national championships,” he said. “It is only because of his coaching. It is the time, we return his services.

Published in Greater Kashmir on Feb 20: link : http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=20_2_2009&ItemID=13&cat=4

JK cricket ‘sacrificed on altar of quota system’

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Feb 16: The sports fraternity of the valley attributes the deteriorating standard of cricket in the state to the quota system prevalent in the J&K Cricket Association. According to this system, it is customary to pick equal number of players from Jammu and Kashmir provinces irrespective of their talent. The quota system, which has been prevailing in the JKCA for over two decades, is ruining cricket in more ways than one. “Majority of the officials in the JKCA are against the quota system,” a senior official pleading anonymity said. “At the time of selection, the selectors insist on giving share to each province.” He said those at the helm were responsible for running cricket in the state. “The future of cricket is sacrificed on the altar of quota system,” he said. “Half of the team members do not deserve a place in the team in the first place. The bureaucracy and highhandedness of many an elite have the upper say in the JKCA affairs and nobody wants to raise a voice.” He said the officials who are staunchly against the ‘faulty’ system prefer to maintain silence for fear of losing their place. Questioning the wisdom of the JKCA in adhering to quota system, the J&K Sports Development Association, general secretary, Riyaz Ahmad said: “If the JKCA is sincere about saving cricket in the state, it should immediately abolish this faulty system.” He said the talent should be the priority rather than following a system that has no takers in today’s cutting-edge competition. “It is not like picking black and white players in South Africa that you should force a quota system,” he said. “Let all the quality players come from wherever they come, be Kashmir, Jammu or Ladakh.” Attributing recent failures of the cricket team to the defective quota system, he stressed picking of players strictly as per their talent. “If half of the players do not deserve to be in the team in the first place, how should you expect them to perform,” he asked. He suggested the JKCA to open more clubs and the selectors to monitor the performance of players individually and pick up the real talent. Many former cricketers also opined that quota system was detrimental to the future of cricket in the state. “The quota system is the main reason of downfall of JK cricket over the years,” cricketer Ishtiaq Ahmad of Dalgate said. “Despite the best talent available here, not a single player features in the national team.” He said other state teams were performing brilliantly in various national tournaments. “It is because these states have stringent rules of picking players on talent alone,” he said. “We should emulate the Gujarat example which has a sound cricket policy. It has given two big stars, Irfan Pathan and Yousuf Pathan to the Indian team at present.” Another cricketer Sameer Ahmad alleged the JKCA of playing in the hands of ‘wrongdoers’. “The JKCA is riddled with dirty politics which is the only reason of the downfall of cricket in the state,” he said. “It is high time the chief minister takes the reigns in his hands and orders a reshuffle of the entire JKCA administration.” Describing as unfortunate the prevailing quota system, the JKCA general secretary, Saleem Khan, said the doors for the talented players should be wide open. “The team should include the best players from wherever they are,” he said. “We’ve introduced few good changes and hopefully the cricket should improve in the years to come.” He said the Association was working towards abolishing the quota system. “We’ve been taking many initiatives and a new policy would be announced shortly,” he said.

published in Greater Kashmir Feb.....17:02-2009 link : http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=17_2_2009&ItemID=4&cat=4

Sports bodies picking juveniles for senior-level competitions

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Feb 15: The sports bodies operating in the valley are reportedly sending underage boys and girls to represent the state in various senior national-level competitions, exposing them to a greater risk of physical injuries. The psychological damage following a defeat in such tournaments, could spell doom for the underage participant. “If you’re sending colt in place of horse in a race, you’re bound to risk its life,” valley’s leading psychiatrist, Dr Mushtaq Margoob said. “The psychological impact as a result of failure to perform cannot be ruled out.”In a blatant violation to the rules and regulations, many sports bodies have been taking a large number of underage students drawn from different government and private schools of the valley to participate in national tournaments of the senior level.Describing the trend as ‘dangerous’, the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Development Authority general secretary, Riayaz Ahmad Wani, said: “Players should be allowed to take part in any tournament according to age,” he said. “It is highly dangerous to send underage players to play beyond his physical capability.”He said it could jeopardize the future of both the sports and the sportsperson. “You’re not harming a budding player but the sports also,” he said. “The losses suffered on account of pushing premature talent and insufficient training can spoil both.”Asked why sports bodies included underage players in their squads, he said: “Their lackadaisical approach towards the sports leaves them with no option but to take raw talent from the schools. They fall an easy victim to their unprofessional methodology.”He said the school authorities were partly to be blamed for not contacting the Sports Council in such matters. “The schools authorities should contact the Sports Council in case someone approaches them with such an offer,” he said. “Parents too should refrain from sending their kids for participating in the events meant for some other age group.”He said there were clearly defined age groups meant for a particular level. “We’ve under-14, 17, 19 and 21 age groups for competitions of different level,” he said. “The sports bodies should strictly adhere to the rules and regulations.”He said anyone found indulging in breach of rules should be brought to book.“By sending juveniles for participation in higher-level competitions, those responsible were wasting their own resources,” sports officer of the J&K Sports Council S Baba, said. “They’re risking the future of their own bodies by resorting to such shortcut methods. Almost all sports associations function without any representative character by keeping themselves dependent on the Council.”Describing the scenario as ‘regrettable’, head of the Dalgate Sports Fraternity, Sajid Yousuf, said: “It is unethical to take underage children taken without realizing its consequences,” he said. “Children don’t know anything about the consequences by making a leap without climbing the ladder step-by-step,” he said. “It is not only injurious to them but would degrade them morally.”He said players are groomed systematically for next level competitions. “At senior levels, the standard of competition is always high,” he said. “Bypassing a system could only end in a disaster.”“It is important to know your physique at various stages of your development,” said the psychiatrist, Dr Mushtaq. “Straining your body unnecessarily will get you into nothing trouble.”

PUBLISHED IN GREATER KASHMIR ON fEB 16: LINK : http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=16_2_2009&ItemID=3&cat=4

Only 2 functional ski-lifts for whole Gulmarg

Abid Khan
Srinagar, Feb 13:Gulmarg that is known all over world for its soft powdered snow have got only two functional ski lift facilities available for hundreds skiers who daily do skiing there.
Each day hundreds of tourists both local and foreigners visit Gulmarg for having a taste of skiing. The advanced level skier’s go for higher reaches but they are few in number and most of them do skiing on the low slopes that are in Gulmarg. Apart from tourists the regular courses of different institutes like Youth Services and Sports, Indian Institute of Mountaineering and Skiing, Kashmir University, Sports Council keep going on in Gulmarg. For all these skiers Gulmarg has got only two functional T-bar, ski lifts. The third ski lift near Gulmarg Club of tourism department remain closed.
A T-bar ski-lift, also called T-bar, is a mechanised system for transporting skiers and snowboarders uphill, along the surface of the slope.It is generally employed for low-capacity slopes in large resorts and small local areas servicing skiers numbered in the dozens rather than in the hundreds or thousands.
But in Gulmarg it is used to service thousands of skiers each day, which creates lot of problems for the skiers as it always remain crowded Skier had to wait for hours in order to get benefit of lift. Most of the time skier gets uphill by foot.
“There is essential need of more ski lifts in Gulmarg. The present two functional lifts are not serving any purpose and skiers gets only two to three runs down the slope after waiting for their turn on lifts” said Principal IISM, KA Mir.
He said that the lifts have tremendous load and always remain crowded and there is urgent need of installing of more ski lifts on different slopes.
“We need more ski lifts in order to serve skiers in better way. At present every skier waits for half an hour to get his turn on lift on order to climb uphill” he said.
Few years’ back there was ski lift near Church, which was considered best slope for advance level skiing. But Tourism department which handles all the affairs in Gulmarg shifted that to baby slope near ski shop.
“We cannot understand why the department shifted ski lift from church to baby slope. It was best slope among the existing slopes that we have got it Gulmarg but this no one does skiing there,” said Niyaz Ahmad. “ If the department was in need to serve the baby slope for beginners then they should have procured new lift for it instead of abandoning the Church slope.”
He said that skiers, which comprises of all ages had to face lot of hardship for doing skiing.
“Before coming to Gulmarg skiers think that they will have fun in doing skiing but upon reaching here they find huge rush for lifts and that gives them totally different picture. Most of the skiers do skiing without using the lift facilities in order to have more down runs and in that case have to sweat hard,” he said.
According to experts Gulmarg has got the best natural slopes available and there is no need to develop except installing of more ski lifts.
Muzamil Ahmad, DYSS ski instructor who have been imparting ski training in Gulmarg from last 15 years says, “God has bestowed us with natural slopes and only thing needed is to install more and more ski lifts. In foreign countries there are hundreds of ski lifts on the man made slopes and here we don’t have lifts on natural slopes. They spend lot of money of making for slopes and here we need to install only slopes, as we have got number of beautiful and world-class natural slopes.”
He said that in the name of development Government only doe’s lot of talk and has done nothing to develop Gulmarg up to world-class ski resort.
“What Government has done all these years to develop Gulmarg for the benefit of skiers. Except few concrete structures nothing has changed. Gulmarg is today what it was 30 years back. Even cable car Gondola is not serving any purpose, as it is too costly for local skiers” he said.
Despite repeated attempts Director Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah was not available for comments.

IISM ski courses conclude at Gulmarg

Abid Khan
Srinagar, Feb 11: The second snow ski course of the Indian Institute of Ski and Mountaineering (IISM) concluded at Gulmarg on Wednesday.
The duration of the course was of 15 days and on the concluding day examinations of the trainees was held. In the examination all the students satisfied the criteria laid by the examiners and were declared passed. In the examinations examiners were seeing the usage of techniques and the flow of skier while coming down from the slope. By that they judged whether to declare student pass or not.
The course had started on January 28 and in it 40 students from all over India participated in three level of skiing course, Basic, Inter-Mediate and Advance. The trainees were of different ages in both boys and girls categories.
In Basic course Wasim Wani bagged first position while as Umer Farooq bagged first position in Inter-mediate course. In advance course, which is last course of training after which skier can take part in any competition Faizan Manzoor got first place while as Irshad Ahmad Ganai got second position.
Shifan Jahan was awarded was given consolation prize for being best skier in the kids category.
The prize distribution of first ski course, which was held from January 14 to February 27, in which 40 participants took part, was also done on the occasion. In Basic course Muzamil Fayaz bagged first positions while as Varun Ashok bagged first place in Inter-mediate course.
Principal Institute of Hotel Management, Nisheet Srivastava was the chief guest on the occasion he distributed prizes among the winners. Apart from winning trophies the certificates were also among the participants.
Training to the participants was imparted by instructors of the institute which include Hadeeqa Khurshid, Muhammad Shafi, Tariq Zargar, Feroz Ahmad Khan, Jeelani and Shabir Ahmad Dar.
Giving details about the courses being conducted by the IISM, Principal of the institute Khurshid Ahmad Mir said, “IISM is national institute which has been promoting winter and adventure sports in valley from last five decades. During all these years we have promoted Kashmir as the ultimate adventure destination through out India.”
He said that Institute each year organizes five ski courses in which participants from all over India take part. “There is huge rush of applicants for the courses but we always keep it up to 40 only as we want to give good attention to all the participants” he said.
IISM has the best equipment and facilities available in whole Gulmarg, he said.
“We are the only institute in Valley which has got the latest ski equipment and the facilities which we provide are unparallel to any other training course being held in Gulmarg. Apart from trainees our instructors are well equipped in everything and have latest ski suites and equipment, which makes them distinct from others” he said.
IISM has its own snow scooters, snow beating machines and all the hi-tech gadgets that are being used in the skiing. They brought them last year in order to make institute best in India.
“ We have our own skidoo’s and snow beating machines and all the other equipments and gadgets which are being used in modern skiing. Before us they in state only with tourism department but after procuring these things we are even better equipped then tourism” he said.
In Gulmarg all the ski courses that are being run are dependent on tourism department IISM is the only institute which is not dependent on them.He said, “By procuring these equipments we have become independent and there is no need for us to be dependent on tourism department.

published in Greater Kashmir on Feb 12 link http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=12_2_2009&ItemID=2&cat=4

JK trounce UP East 8-0, Tameem scores 5 goals

8th All India BSNL Football Meet

Abid Khan

Srinagar, Feb 10: Five goals by main striker, Tameem Ahmad, helped JK BSNL team to thrash Uttar Pradesh East 8-0 in their second match of the 8th All India BSNL football meet at Patna Bihar on Tuesday. It was one-sided affair from the very start of the match. JK did not give any chance to its opponents. In the 5th minute of match, Tameem scored the first goal for his team. Two minutes later, Tameem was in action again. He dribble passed two defenders and kicked the ball into the left corner of the goalpost. The players grew aggressive and attacked UP left, right and centre. Tameem scored third goal for in the 30th minute completing his second consecutive hat-trick in the tournament. Minutes before the half time, Charan Das, scored the fourth goal in the 44th minute. At the end of the half time, the team was leading 4-0. In second half, Tameem continued his brilliant play and scored two more goals making it 6-0 for the team. In the 77th minute, Fayaz Ahmad joined the act and scored the seventh goal. In the 80th minute, he scored another goal taking the final tally to 8 for his team. This was the second comfortable win for JK in as many games in tournament. On Monday they had defeated Tamil Nadu BSNL 4-0. In their last group encounter, they will lock horns with Kerala on Thursday. Speaking over phone from Patna, Tameem said, he was extremely happy with his performance in the tournament. “It is great to see our team getting such big wins,” he said. “We are playing like a true team and the combination is great. The mid-field and the defence line is particularly good and they are making things easier for us in the forward.”

published in Greater Kashmir on Feb 11 link http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=11_2_2009&ItemID=3&cat=4

No JK player in IPL Kings XI squad

Abid Khan
Srinagar, Feb 10:In second consecutive season in the much-hyped Indian Premier League (IPL) players from J&K state will be missing.
The IPL franchisee, Kings XI Punjab, co-owned by bollywood actress Preity Zinta and Wadia Group owner Ness Wadia announced its squad for the second season recently. The squad includes both inter-national and local players but has no JK player.
JK, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab come under the jurisdiction of Kings XI team .It had to pick its domestic players out of these four states under the quota system.
For that purpose Kings XI organized, Punjab Cup, Twenty20 tournament for the four states at Chndigarh and Mohali from 28th January to 2nd February in which five teams participated. Two teams of Punjab and one each from other three.
Like other three states J&K cricket Association also sent its squad for the IPL tournament cum selection trial. Team lost all its matches in the tournament but individual performance of some of the players was worthwhile. JK got some hope when three players were short-listed by the selection committee of tournament. They were Parvez Rasool, Arshid Sheikh and Javed. But in the final list they were not included.
Confirming this official of JKCA said that in the initial list they were included but in the final list the team featured no player from JK.
Terming it unfortunate for the stare he said, “It is really unfortunate for our state that in second consecutive year IPL will have no JK representation. At the beginning of the selection tournament we thought that it is an ample opportunity for our players to prove themselves”. “Though our team failed but there were some good individual performances from our boys due to which we thought that this time our player will be in squad but in the end it didn’t.”
He said that the three players who were short-listed had performed brilliantly in the tournament deserved to get place in the team.
“Parvez, Javed, Arshad gave their best in the tournament due to which they were short listed but in the final list they were knocked out. I think that is not fair one or two out of them should have been kept at least in the squad if not played.”
Last year when the IPL was launched, initially there was no player from JK in any of the franchisee squad but before tournament began Kings XI included 19-year-old valley pacer Mudasir in its emerging talent list. Mudasir was in the squad and used to practice alongside team but was no were seen in the dugout. Interestingly he was showed way home before tournament concluded by franchisee management.
This year the JKCA had hoped that its spearhead pacer Samiullah Beigh would be definitely in the squad after his brilliant performance in the Ranji Trophy tournament this year. In the five matches he took 25 wickets for state and also performed brilliantly with bat. On that basis he was selected for North Zone team for Duleep Trophy.
Though he was selected but was not included in playing eleven and during that period the selection trials of Kings XI Punjab were held and he missed that.
“Samiullah doesn’t require to give any trial his performance speak volumes about him,” said JKCA official. “It is only do to his Kashmir background that he was not selected.”


International players: Brett Lee, James Hopes, Shaun Marsh, Luke Pomersbach, Simon Katich and Burt Cockley (all Australia); Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene (both Sri Lanka); Ravi Bopara (England); Jereme Taylor (West Indies).
Team India players: Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan, S. Sreesanth, R. Powar, V.R.V. Singh and Piyush Chawla.
Domestic players: Karan Goel, Uday Kaul, Wilkin Mota, Ajitesh Argal, Tanmay Srivastava, Sunny Sohal, Sahil Kukreja, Ryan Ninan and Yash Gandhi.

published in greater kasmir on Feb 11: link http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=11_2_2009&ItemID=4&cat=4

Give 5000 Bucks go for Rugby National

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Feb 9: The parents of Rugby players have accused the J&K Rugby Association of demanding huge amounts of money from their children to participate in the National championship. “The Association asked the players to deposit Rs 5000 before leaving for Guwahati,” said a parent Tanveer Ali of Hyderpora who could not afford the money. “Despite selection, my son was not taken.” For many, arranging money has been pretty difficult. “I had to borrow money for my brother otherwise he would have not been taken,” said Muhammad Irfan of Jawahar Nagar. “I don’t understand why the Association should demand money from the players in the first place.” He said the Sport Council should look into the activities of the sports bodies indulging in ‘minting money from hapless players.’ “The Council should publish the names of sports bodies funded by them,” he said. “Extracting money from players is in no way justifiable.” The J&K Sports Development Association which works for the welfare of sports and players has accused the Rugby Association of looting players in the name of events. “There has been a mushroom growth of sports associations in the valley,” general secretary, JKSDA, Riyaz Ahmad said. “They have been indulging in minting money like anything without being checked. He said the Rugby Association was not a registered body and hence not funded by the Sports Council. “They have charged too much money from the players,” he said. “They should have roped in sponsors rather than extracting money from the players. They should have not asked for anything more than Rs 2000 even if they had to charge at all.” He said sponsors had helped them in arrange local events in the past. “If they could lure the sponsors for local events, they could well do it for the national event as well,” he said. “We’re going to launch an awareness campaign to put a halt on this looting spree.” The officials of the Rugby Association denied having demanded money from the players at first. “These are baseless allegations,” chairman of the Association, Mohammad Iqbal said. However, the general secretary of the Association, Irfan Aziz, said that the students willingly gave the money. “We don’t get any aid from the Sports Council,” he said. “We had no option but to charge the players.” He said the money was utilized for the benefit of the players and catered to the basic needs of the players. “We organised a 5-day coaching camp in Jammu besides the travel, lodging and boarding expenses are borne out of this amount,” he said. “We give the best of food to our players and lodge them in good hotels,” he said. The Sports Council officials said that they would furnish guidelines to anyone whosoever visited their office. “The Rugby Association is a non-recognised body,” sports officer, M S Baba said. “We’ll initiate action against the Association after a formal compliant is lodged.”

Published in greater Kashmir on 10 link http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=10_2_2009&ItemID=3&cat=4

Girls’ ski course concludes at Gulmarg

Abid Khan
Srinagar, Feb 8: The girls’ skiing course organized by the department of Youth Services and Sports concluded at ski resort Gulmarg on Saturday. Sixty students participated in three-tier course designated as basic, inter-mediate and advance for 15 days. All the participants qualified the test successfully and are eligible for the next level now. The advance-level qualifiers can take part in any ski event now.The interest in skiing is growing by the day among students. “There’s a great demand for the course nowadays,” said the trainer, Gul Mustafa. “Though we can accommodate a maximum of sixty students at one time, more students are willing to get the training.”He said the sport was gaining popularity among girls as well. “Because they follow the guidelines carefully, they’re much easier to train,” he said. “All girls were selected after a careful selection process.”He said the department had efficient trainers available and the training schedule was the best. “The training is divided into a pre and post-lunch session lasting three and two hours and half respectively,” he said. “We stress upon the trainees to follow the schedule strictly. Till 4 pm, the ski lifts of the Tourism department remain open and we take their help as well.”The instructors continue their coaching for half an hour after ski lifts are closed. “We continue our training after 4 pm to let them on their own,” said a trainer, Niyaz Ahmad. “By doing hiking daily for half hour, their legs get stronger and they can do skiing in high altitudes as well.”The DYSS organizes courses every winter in collaboration with Jammu Kashmir Tourism Department. The boarding and lodging expenses are borne by the department.The Tourism department provides skis “We have only 35 pair of ski gear and tourism department provides us the rest,” Niyaz said.The deputy director, DYSS, Gulshan Ara, while on her visit to Gulmarg took stock of the situation. Top skiers of Jammu and Kashmir are due to participate in a state-level skiing championship beginning soon.

Under ski-training cover, foreign group runs charity in Kashmir

Abid Khan

Gulmarg, Feb 7: The foreign group of skiers on pretext of coaching and giving ski training to Kashmiri children’s at Gulmarg are running charity organization through which they ask foreigners to donate generously for the peasant Kashmiris who have suffered much during last many years of ‘war’.
The foreign skiers group from different countries under the banner of New Zeeland Ski Club of Kashmir (NZ-SCK) started their activities in Gulmarg from January 13 and since then are providing free coaching to the locals of Tangmarg and many others who throng to Gulmarg for skiing. The group is providing free coaching and till now has trained more than 200 skiers. They have the major plans for future and want to open ski school in Gulmarg.
The group is telling everyone that they are in Gulmarg for skiing and to teach local children’s skiing but upon visiting their official website (http://amandiks.fr/india/skiclub/) the different story comes out.
In their website they are saying that they are working in the conflict ridden and poor ski resort of Kashmir valley were they provide free coaching to the children’s of peasant farmers and other poor persons who have suffered much during last many year of war.
The website says, “The New Zealand Ski Club of Kashmir is based at the Kiwi House, in Gulmarg (India), as a not-for-profit charity with a focus on organizing and providing essential modern snow equipment for the local people. For more information on donating to NZ Ski Club Kashmir (Inc) or on visiting Gulmarg from 10 January 2009 - 10 March 2009 contact Martin Jones”.
Martin Jones is group head and has been visiting Gulmarg from last many years, one of the web post writes about him, “Keen to do what he could to help the local people, Martin has donated snow equipment, mountain safety avalanche training/equipment to help them to get their guiding up to international standard with a view to developing a local tourism industry. He has also established New Zealand's newest ski club: The New Zealand Ski Club of Kashmiri (Inc) based at the Kiwi House, Gulmarg as a not-for-profit charity with a focus on organizing and providing essential modern snow equipment for the local people.”
The post further reads, “New Zealanders who stay at the Kiwi House do so at a reduced rate of NZ $600 per person per week, the weekly rate includes delicious Kashmiri cuisine. In recognition of the reduced cost of accommodation, guests are asked to donate generously to the charity, with funds raised going towards the cost of modern snow clothing and equipment for the Kashmiri guides, instructors, tuition for university students and school children, equipment for peasant farmers and the cost of staff at the Kiwi House.”
“I have been blown away by the scale of the mountains, the natural beauty of Gulmarg Forest Park and the warmth and generosity of the local Kashmiri peasant farmers who have suffered much during the recently ended 12 year war,” says Martin in one of the web post.
Apart from these things the group has also posted pictures of Kashmiri villagers and nomad children’s in their website. They have also posted pictures of ski equipments of 500 pairs of ski, which they say would be donated to locals.
The web post reads, “Here are some pictures of loading the 20 foot container with 500 pair of donated used skis, boots and clothing for Gulmarg children which departed Christchurch at the beginning of December and is due at Mumbai in January.”

Published in Greater Kashmir on Febuaray 8 link http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=8_2_2009&ItemID=3&cat=4.

Foreigners organize ski courses in Gulmarg

Threaten livelihood of local guides, instructors, agents
Abid Khan
Gulmarg, Feb 5: The foreign group of skiers are providing free training to tourists who throng to Gulmarg these days from different parts country thus threatening the livelihood hundreds of local ski guides, instructors and agents.
The foreign skiers group from different countries under the banner of New Zeeland Ski Club of Kashmir (NZ-SCK) started their activities in Gulmarg from January 13 and since then is providing free coaching to the tourists both local and outsiders who throng to Gulmarg for skiing. The group is providing free coaching and till now has trained more than 200 skiers. They have the major plans for future and want to open ski school in Gulmarg.
This act by foreign ski group has raised many concerns among the local folk whose livelihood is associated with skiing. The instructors, ski guides and travel agents of the area have accused the group of snatching their livelihood.
A local ski-instructor of Tangmarg identifying himself as Aatif Ali said that he thinks his livelihood is under threat due to the activities of this group.
He said that Gulmarg snow is food of Tangmarg people and almost whole area is dependent on it to earn their livelihood.
He said, “The group came here on pretext of being tourists but from mid January they are running their coaching class. Due to that our livelihood has got severe setback as the tourists prefer free ski training”. “The tourists prefer foreigners then the locals for training and if that is free then that is bonus and that is what this group is doing here in Gulmarg from last more than three weeks.”
He said that he doesn’t who has given them the permission run courses in Gulmarg and if this will go unabated then the time is near when we will see that whole Tangmarg people would on the verge of starvation.
“Each year we earn good bucks from ski-guiding and coaching to tourists and that money we use for whole year. But this year our business has got huge effect due to the activities of this group and we don’t know how we will sustain our livelihood through out the year” he said. “If in three weeks they have trained only 200 tourists in skiing free of cost. For them that is nothing but for us the money from training and guiding those tourists would have amounted in lacks for us.”
Another ski-guide namely Irfan Shah who earn his livelihood by teaching skiing to tourists accused the group of snatching their bud and butter.
He said, “If their actives will go on unabated then the time will come when we will be fighting for our survival as we are solely dependent on Gulmarg.”
He accused the group of fooling people by organizing free caching class in order to save custom duty on the equipment they are bringing for there purpose.
He said, “The group is running its activities in nexus with one local guy. He is helping them to promote their class by luring tourists towards them. They are giving free training this year because they have hidden motive behind it as they want their ski equipments worth crores of rupees to get custom duty rebate”. “ For running ski-school Government gives custom and excise duty rebate on importing equipment and they want that.”
He said that in year 2000 Israel snow boarder, Edo did same thing by teaching snowboarding to locals and brought large equipment from outside on which he got custom duty rebate. The situation is that presently he is doing monopoly in Gulmarg by organizing his own groups, he said. “ He brings groups on his own and rent them out his own equipments there by giving no benefit to locals”.
He said, “Basically they are running travel agency and are trying to create monopoly in Gulmarg by managing all things themselves”. “From bringing tourists here to providing them equipments they want to do all things themselves there by earning all money themselves.”
If this thing will go without any monitoring and hindrance from officials we will launch agitation against it on the pattern of Amarnath land agitation, said a group ski-guides.
Few days back on ski-slope the foreign group has heated arguments with the ski-instructors of department like Youth Sports and Services and IISM.
“While I was training my students the group came to me and said to stop the course in order to pave way for them to train. I refused by saying that we have got permission from Tourism department to organize came and we are running course according to official timings while they are without permission” said Youth Services and Sports instructor on condition of anonymity. “They threatened me of severe consequences but I did not listened to them.”Despite repeated attempts Director Tourism was not available for comment.

Favouritism alleged in Sports Council recognition process

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Feb 4: The J&K Sports Council has come under severe criticism for promoting 'inconsequential' sports bodies at the cost of valid ones which, according to the sports fraternity, could lead to the obliteration of some of the most important sports disciplines in the valley.Out of ten sports bodies, the Council marked three sports disciplines, Rugby, Baseball and Rifle Shooting, leaving aside, Rowing, Spak-Takraw, Shooting Ball, Motor Sports, Tri-Athlon, Bridge and Malkhamb, in its recently-held sub-committee meeting at Jammu. The Council had kept the activities of the concerned bodies under constant check for three years. Though the statuesque of the seven left-out bodies has remained unchanged and their activities would be monitored afresh, the Sports Council has paved way for the recognition of the ‘favoured’ three. Ironically, Rifle Shooting is a lesser-known sport in the state and it has baffled many a sports bodies’ officials as to how its case has received undue attention. Surprised at the exclusion of the J&K Rowing Association, general secretary, Wasim Raja, said that ‘the Council was playing a tool in the hands of its senior officials indulged in making a mint.’ “Rowing is the only sport that gave the state the Arjun award,” he said. “I am at a cross to understand why our Association has been ignored.”He accused the senior officials of the Council of running the ‘favoured’ sports bodies. “The Council secretary, P S Gill, is running the Rifle Association,” he said. “This is the reason, the Rifle Association was favoured.”He said the Council gave a handsome grant to the recognised bodies annually which is why the Council officials had floated their own associations. “The joint secretary of the Council, Abdul Rauf, is close to Rugby and Baseball Associations,” he said. “If the officials at the helm would take recourse to nepotism, the future of sports in the state is quite dark.”He said Rowing was an Olympic sport and had tremendous potential in the state. “The state, in spite of the next-to-nothing infrastructure, secured 6th place in the 33rd National Games held in Guwahatti, Assam in 2007,” he said. “Moreover, it comes under the ambit of SRO 349 wherein a medal-winning player is entitled to a government job.”He said only eight teams across India were qualified to take part at the national level. “Our team is due to participate in the 34th National Games due to be held in June this year at Jharkhand.”He said the sport had given the state a respectable name in the country. “The only Arjun Awardee of the state is Major General, Muhammad Amin Naik, of Tral who won the medal at the Asian Games in 1982,” he said. “He has also won over half a dozen medals at different international events and over 30 medals at the national level.”He said the Rowing Association was affiliated with the Human Resource Development ministry, recognised body, the Rowing Federation of India. “We make a strong case for the recognition,” he said while demanding CM’s intervention in setting the Council matters right.He said Rifle Shooting was an ‘insignificant’ sport in the state. “It is a high-profile sport and out of reach for the normal folks,” he said. “No competition has been held in the sport ever.”Questioning the wisdom of preferring Rugby and Baseball to Rowing, Raja said both sports were conspicuously invisible from the state scene. “The state owing to numerous water bodies can produce sportspersons in bulk,” he said. “Contrastingly Rugby and Baseball is being played in a few districts in the state.”He said despite winning medals, the Rowing suffered from the lack of infrastructure here. “Not a single rowing boat is available to us,” he said. “We organise our coaching at Taran Taran in Punjab at our own cost and the Council ‘rewarded’ by sideling us blatantly.”

published in ngreater kashmir on Febuary 5: link: http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=5_2_2009&ItemID=11&cat=4

Snow Cycling mesmerizes everyone

Abid Khan
Srinagar, Feb 4: The newly introduced adventure sport, snow cycling remained centre of attraction for everyone in the Gulmarg on the occasion of Gulmarg Snow Festival on Wednesday.
From early morning Tuesday, 20 cyclists who had come from Srinagar to take part in the snow cycling competition were centre of attraction and everyone was puzzled how the cycles are running on snow. It was third straight year that snow cycling was being held in the festival but for many people who were witnessed it first time were not believing on their eyes that cyclists are riding on snow with such ease.
Apart from spectators and tourists cyclists were also attracting the media personal who gathered in Gulmarg to cover the festival.
The demoralizing factor for cyclists was that they had to wait for more than two and half hours amid continuing snowfall for flag at start line. The minister was first in snow-rink and then out of fixture went to Knogdoori to see snowboarding. During that time the cyclist were feeling cold and did not know what to do.
Finally when the Minister came and flagged off the race. All the riders rushed out with full speed without caring for the slippery surface. The route was from ski-shop to Gulmarg Club via Royal Park hotel that was amounting to total distance of 6-kilometers.
The first riders who took the lead from rest were Ubaid Shah and Hilal Ahmad but only two kilometers after Ubaid’s chain broke down and Hilal started to feel fatigue. The track of the race had become tougher due to the fresh snow that had accumulated on surface. But despite all odds the cyclists continued race. On first it looked like that Riyaz Ahmad will cruise to victory easily but as the finish line approached riders behind him sprinted hard and finished ahead of him by fraction of second.
Mudasir Ahmad of Fort City Sports Club finished with the timing of 10:11:23 while as Ghulam Rasool Kawa of Discovery Club, timing 10:24:30 and Anzil Mukhtar of AS College, timing 10:30:13 finished second and third respectively.
Riyaz Ahmad of Fort City Sports Club finished fourth.
The first position holder said that it was not easy to take part in the event and get position ahead of the known cyclist of valley.
He said, “I participating first time in the event and in my maiden triumph I cam out as winner. It was easy to ride on snow but I kept my cool and despite few falls I managed to win race.”
Since being introduced in 2006 during snow festival, snow festival has became huge hit around the world. Both tourism department and J&K Cycling Association has got number of queries regarding it from around world.
For participating in the event riders used imported Mountain Biking Cycles (MTB) equipped with advanced gears, which helped riders to do cycling on snow.“Apart from techniques we use special imported MTB cycles which are equipped with special gears that help us to do cycling on snow”. “The cycles are costly and second hand come in the range of 30-50 thousand” said NIS cycling coach Ghulam Rasool Kawa

Snow Festival begins at Gulmarg

Urgent need to upgrade winter sport infrastructure: Jora
Abid Khan
Srinagar, Feb 3: With fresh fall of snow J&K Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora inaugurated the much awaited annual two-day Gulmarg Snow festival amid much fanfare at the world famous ski resort Gulmarg on Tuesday.
The department is organizing the festival from last four years in order top woo the tourists from all over world to the ski resort. The event was scheduled to be organized on Christmas Eve on December 24 and 25 last year but due to certain reasons it got number of delays and finally started on Tuesday. In the festival there are number of attractions for wooing winter sport lovers like snow cycling, snow rugby, skiing, ice-skating, ice-hockey, skido race, ski-cross country race, sledge race and snow boarding. Besides the sporting events, many cultural programmes are also being held to entertain the tourists.
Tourism Minister who was chief guest on the occasion said that there is an urgent need to develop Gulmarg up to the international standards on which we will chalk out strategy soon.
He said, “It is no hidden truth that the facilities and infrastructure here in Gulmarg is no match to international standards. If we want more and more tourists to come to Gulmarg we need to develop it by increasing the facilities for skiers”. “ This year the number of foreign tourists is around 200 and that is very low. That I think mostly due to the Mumbai incident.”
About the festival he said that this year the festival is being organized on low scale and that probably was due to the elections and the other administrative hiccups.
“ From last many years snow festival has been the main tourist attraction but this year it is on low key affair. There are number of reasons for that but the main reason was elections” he said. “Despite that we had laucnhced massive media campaign in national television channels for promotion of this festival and we think we have succeeded in our agenda by attracting tourists especially for festival.”
Minister also said that promotion and upgrading of winter sports infrastructure need lot of funds and for that he has discussed things with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
He said “We need lot of things for making Gulmarg world class winter sports attraction and for that I have discussed things with Chief Minister and he has assured me that all possible things would be done to promote our best winter sports destination”. “ it is has been only 20 or more days for me in the tourism ministry but in future I assure you that the difference and change would be visible to all.”
The day began with the demonstration matches of ice-skating and ice hockey in the Gulmarg, Ice Rink that were watched by large number of spectators which include the trainees who are organizing skiing courses through. After that Minister flagged off the Snow Cycling race at Gulmarg Ski-Shop.
From Ice-Rink the got shifted to Gulmarg club were the demonstration matches of Snow Rugby, martial art, sledge race, skido race was being held.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Director Tourism, Farooq Shah said that the festival is being organized to demonstrate our winter sports and tourism potential to world.
He said, “The aim is to attract more and more participants for winter sports as well as the tourists for whom Gulmarg has always been a dream winter destination. It is as that the activities have not being going on here from last two months, they have been going on in full swing”. “We have many events like ice skating, ice hockey, snow rugby, snow cycling, snow bike racing and martial arts on the schedule.”
About Gulmarg and flow of tourists he said, “ Gulmarg is the cheapest winter sports destination in the world and we are getting queries from far and wide across the world. The flow of tourists this year has not been that huge due to certain reasons but still it is good.”
The festival will continue on Wednesday and many competitions of skiing would be held.

published in greater kashmir on ............febuary 4: link : http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=4_2_2009&ItemID=2&cat=4

AIFF selects valley duo for B-level AFC course

ABID KHAN

Srinagar, Jan 2: The All India Football Federation has selected two young NIS coaches of the valley, Sajid Yusuf Dar and Hilal Ahmad Parray, for the B-level Asian Football Confederation coaching course scheduled to be held at Chennai from February 22nd to March 15. Asian Football Confederation licenseIt is for the first time that valley’s coaches would be taking part in the B-license course. After qualifying it, they would become the first coaches from state to get an Asian Federation Confederation B-license. The duo was recommended by J&K Football Association to AIFF for the course. They were the only coaches meeting the criteria set by the AIFF for B-level course. Two years back, both did the C-license course and have been active in coaching field.Sajid had secured first position in the C-license course held at Ludhiana in 2006 while Hilal had secured second place.Hailing the selection of the coaches, the JKFA general secretary, S A Hameed, said that it was a matter of pride for the state football. “The AIFF had sought the list of eligible candidates for course,” he said. “We’re happy the duo has made it to the selection.”Sajid Yusuf Dar belongs to the family of footballers which has given the state the names like Muhamad Yusuf Dar. Sajid got his diploma from the National Institute of Football, Patiala in 2003-2004. Soon after, he took various coaching assignments, training Kashmir University’s football team for the North Zone Inter-university championship held in the valley. His other assignments included training players of the JKFA and Sports Council. He was involved in the youth development football programs. Representing the state in two Santosh trophy tournaments, Sajid is currently coach of the KU’s football team. He is also involved with many private clubs like Iqbal Sports and Tyndale Biscoe School. He was also elected president of Dalgate Sports Fraternity. Hilal is also a qualified coach with an NIS diploma of 2003-2004. He has been a part of the JK Bank football team as assistant coach since 2004 and has played a major role in many wins such as Sikkim Gold Cup, II-Division National League, LG Cup and many other national and state level tournaments. He represented the state in two Santosh Trophy tournaments.To develop the level of football in India, the AIFF organizes different programs in collaboration with AFC and these license courses constitute are a part of the program. The course involves theory and practical training. B-license qualified coach is eligible to train national level teams.

published in greater kashmir on January 3 : link: http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=3_2_2009&ItemID=5&cat=4

Gulmarg snow festival rescheduled again

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Feb 1: Confused as it seems, the Tourism department has been changing the date of its much-hyped snow festival at Gulmarg many times over and the officials have now decided to reschedule it on February 3 and 4 after postponing the event by two days.The festival was earlier scheduled to be held last year on December 24 and 25 on Christmas Eve, but the department decided to organize it in the second week of January this year. The director Tourism had cited low snowfall as the reason to delay the festival.Unable to hold the event in the second week of January, the department quickly rescheduled the festival for the February 3 and 4 but only few days before they postponed it by two days to February 5 and 6, citing death of former president of India N Vanktaragawan as the reason. Funnily, the department on Saturday announced the festival would be held on February 3 and 4. When the director Tourism was asked why the department was not able to finalize dates for the last one and half month, he said. “Snow festival doesn’t mean winter activities are not taking place in Gulmarg. It is just a festival which helps us to promote Gulmarg across the world. We had to postpone the event because of the death of former president of India.”However, the players and the sports-lovers have an entirely different argument. “The Tourism department was awaiting the approval of the chief minister to be the chief guest of the occasion,” said a skier Ubaid Shah. “It is all an appeasement exercise. The department kept on inventing excises only to please the new government.”He said there was a plenty of snow in Gulmarg in December and there is no veracity in the argument that “there was low snowfall in December. “The department waited for the oath ceremony of the chief minister,” he said. “Even after the formation of the government, they were not able to get dates from the chief minister.”Another skier, Iqbal Ahmad of Srinagar, said that by delaying the annual festival by one and half-month, the department had sent wrong message across world.

Sports lover CM skis down from Apharwat

Srinagar, Feb 1: Sports-lover chief minister, Omar Abdullah, demonstrated some skiing skills by skiing down from the high Apharwat slopes in Gulmarg on Sunday. The youngest chief minister of state Sunday visited the world famous ski resort Gulmarg to take stock of the facilities made available for the tourists. He chose to ski down from the second phase of the world’s highest cable car lift situated at an altitude of over 13,000 feet from the sea level. Alongside him, was the valley’s only Olympian, Gul Mustafa, besides other skiers of the valley. “It was really great to see the chief minister skiing down successfully from Apharwat,” Gul said.

published in greater kashmir on February 2: links;;http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=2_2_2009&ItemID=3&cat=4,

Sports fraternity smells rat in recently announced state awards

'GOVERNMENT LOOKS AT KASHMIRI PLAYERS WITH JAUNDICED EYE’

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Jan 29: Criticising the selection of three players from the Jammu province as against one from the valley for the recently announced state awards, the sports fraternity of the valley has flayed the government for ignoring sports stars of the valley, even as the Sports Council had included the prominent footballer Me’raj-ud-Din Wadoo in the nomination list. The government, on 26 January, announced state awards for 17 persons for their contribution in various fields of life including four sportspersons: Mitali—a 12th grade student— in Gymnastics, Ram Singh Slathia, in mountaineering and Ajay Sharma in table tennis and Gul Mustafa Dev in skiing. Of the four sportspersons chosen for the awards, three belong to Jammu while as, Gul Mustafa—the only Olympian from the valley— belongs to the valley. Ironically, it took the government 20 years to recognise his contribution. Senior member of the J&K Football Association, Fayaz Ahmad Sofi, said that Jammu players were preferred over Kashmiri players: “The council and the bureaucrats in secretariat favour Jammu players,” he said. “The awards are given only when it is ensured that Jammu players feature in the list, otherwise, they are not given at all.” He said it was an irony that valley players had to wait 15-20 years for the award while Jammu players were awarded within one year only. He said of the three Jammu players who figured in the list, the performance of two was genuine while as the third had no worthwhile achievement. “Mitali is a class 12th student and her performance in gymnastics was brilliant last year,” he said. “Similarly Ram Singh Salathia climbed the Everest last year. Both have been awarded within just a year of their performance.” He said the third awardee, Ajay Sharma, a table tennis player had ‘nothing’ to his credit when compared with the likes of some of the great stars of the valley whose contribution to the sports could not be ignored. “The extent of discrimination can be measured by the fact that the valley stars, such as, Gul Mustafa Dev and Majid Kakroo, were awarded after 20 and 15 years,” he said. “Other stars, known for their excellence in different fields within the country and outside as well, have blatantly been discredited. He said that the awards were being given in the low-profile games and the popular sports like football were carefully sidelined. “This is done because the valley players would make a complete sweep in hi-profile games such as football, cricket, skiing etc,” he said. He said the dictatorial role played by the Council members set in hegemony within this sports body resulting in favouritism, nepotism and corruption. The J&K Sports Development Association secretary, Riyaz Ahmad, said that irregularities in conferring state awards reflect total bias of the government. “What have they achieved,” he asked referring to the performance of the Jammu players. “Their performance is nothing before the excellence of the players like Wadoo, Ishfaq, Zahoor Latoo, Kuldeep Honda.” “Wadoo who is a regular member of the Indian team, is the biggest star of the state,” he said. “As part of the Indian team, he proved his mettle time and again in SAFF Cup, Nehru Cup and AFC Cup. Apart from the Indian team, he is a regular member of East Bengal football club of Kolkatta.” Of Ishfaq, he said, “he has represented India on numerous occasions and is currently a member of India’s oldest football club, Mohan Bagan. He is their main striker along with Baichung Bhutia and Barrreto.” He said the achievements of Kuldeep Hondo were unparalleled in martial arts. “He won medals at numerous international and national events,” he said. “He has also excelled in his coaching assignment and has been the coach of Indian Junior Wu-Shu team recently which won medals at various events.” About Zahoor Latoo, he said, he was the international Kayaking star of the valley. “He has won over 30 national medals for the state in various water sport events,” he said. “In the 33rd national games held at Guwahatii, Assam, he won three medals for the state.” He said Mitali was chosen for the award for a similar achievement. “She was given a lot of monetary assistance and educational benefits by the state,” he said. “God knows whether the award committee knew Zahoor or not.” He said apart from those chosen by the government, Kashmir had numerous international stars, who have deserved honours more than any body else. The Dalgate Sports Fraternity, president, Sajid Yusuf, said that the government looks at Kashmiri players with a jaundiced eye. “It is not only this time the government preferred Jammu players to the valley-based,” he said. “This has been happening for the past many years.” The secretary Sports Council, PS Gill, told Greater Kashmir that the General Administration Department chose the players for the awards upon the Council recommendations. “The Council has nothing to do with the selection,” he said. “We had recommended Me’raj-ud-Din Wadoo but the GAD thought his achievements were not good enough for the award.” Efforts to contact the GAD could not materialise.

published in greater kashmir on January 31 link : http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=31_1_2009&ItemID=4&cat=4

Gulmarg festival to showcase snow-cycling

Srinagar, Jan 29: Snow-cycling which has been a part of the Gulmarg Snow Festival for the past two years, is expected to draw huge attention from the foreign and local tourists this year. The JK Tourism department has included snow cycling in its annual snow festival scheduled to be held at the world famous ski resort Gulmarg, Kashmir. The department on Tuesday is learnt to have handed over an invitation letter to the J&K Cycling Association to organize snow cycling event on the first day of the 2-day festival. The department would take a team comprising 15 members including a coach and manager to Gulmarg from Srinagar on February 2.

The event is expected to be a grand success. “It would be full of adventure and fun,” joint secretary of the Association, Riyaz Ahmad Wani, said. “Thirteen cyclists will ride imported cycles with gears attached to them. It is not easy to ride cycles on the soft and slippery slopes, therefore, the cyclists will be using extraordinary machines.” A cyclist himself, Riyaz said there was a high degree of risk involved in this adventure sport and the participants could get badly injured if the cyclists lacked proper training. “Our cyclists would be equipped with safety systems like special helmets made of carbon-fibre and would be wearing full cycling uniform, he said. “Apart from the safety gears, they will rely on their training which they have been undergoing for the past one month.” He said he urged the Tourism department to include snow-cycling event in the festival in 2006. “The department warmly responded to the offer and since then snow-cycling is one of the important events in the festival,” he said. “Within a short time, we received numerous queries from around the world.” He said the Association, owing to the overwhelming response, organised many downhill races from Gulmarg to Tangmarg during the last three years. The Tourism department will organise various winter sports and cultural programmes in its festival including ski race, cycling race, skido race and sledging. Apart from local participants foreign tourists will participate in various races. The festival is expected to draw huge crowds of foreign and domestic tourists.