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