FOOTBALL CRAZE FASCINATES VALLEY GIRLS

Mallinson organizes 15-day camp for its students

ABID KHAN

Srinagar, Apr 25: With each passing day, football craze is catching up among Valley girls as they come forward in large number to play the game. Seeing the enthusiasm of girls towards football, Mallinson School is organizing 15-day coaching camp, which is on at the school ground for last three days.
 45 girls from class 5th to 9th are participating in the camp. They are trained in the morning for two hours where they are taught warm-up, how to hold ball, how to kick it properly and the basic techniques for the beginners. Afterwards the participants are divided into teams for a short match.
 To boost the morale of the participants, valley’s international footballer, Mehraj-ud-Din Wadoo interacted with them on Saturday. The girls instantly requested Mehraj for autographs, but he told them to concentrate on training.
 Wadoo told participants that they should enjoy the play and don’t care whether they are doing it properly or not.
 “I think most of you are first time playing football. You can become perfect players obnly with practice and that takes years. If you will not enjoy, your game will not improve,” he told the participants.
 “I suggest you to follow instructions of coach strictly and concentrate on basics of the game. All of you are still very young and it is perfect age to join any game. If at this stage you continue practice, I assure that anyone of you can play for the country,” he added.
 The participants enjoyed the game and followed the instructions of Wadoo strictly.
 One of the participants, Iflah of class 7th said, “I started playing football last year and I enjoy it. From last one week, I learnt a lot and I practice hard. I want to become international player like Wadoo,” she hoped.
 Another girl, Babara of class 8th urged the Youth Services and Sports department to introduce girls football at inter-school level. 
 “I request DYSS to introduce girl’s football at inter-school level to provide us a chance to show our talent. We participate only in basketball competitions,” she said.
 Giving details of the camp, coach Sajid Dar said, “The school authorities requested me to train the girls. They did it after seeing interest of girls towards the game.”
 “Most of the participants in the camp are first time footballers, but after seeing them play, I can say we they have talent. Sheeba, Aiman, Iflah, Babra and Mehvish if given regular and proper training can represent country at international level,” he opined.

publsihed in Greater Kashmir on April 26 link http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=26_4_2009&ItemID=5&cat=4