Fitness level of JK players is perfect: Physio

Srinagar, May 22: The fitness level of JK Santosh trophy players is perfect and they can withstand the extreme climatic conditions of Chennai. “Our players and fit and the harsh climatic conditions will not trouble them. They would be able to cope with changes that are associated with moving from high altitude area to low lying area,” JK team physiotherapist, Ashiq Hussain, told Greater Kashmir. Ashiq has done masters in physiotherapy and has also done special training in sports medicine. Last year, he got special training in cardio rehabilitation from Apollo Hospital Ahmedabad. “This cardio rehabilitation is useful in treating players if they get any cardio problem during play. In recent years, number of players died during matches as the teams had no service of trained cardio rehabilitation,” he said. Ashiq started his association with football four years back with Eid Gah Football Academy and last year was appointed as Physio of JK Santosh Trophy team. Impressed with his work, J&K Football Association again appointed him Physio this year. Apart from that, he has also been associated with JK Forest team, which is considered among fittest team in the state. Ashiq is well aware about the conditions that JK players will face in the tournament and for that he has given special attention to players. “I know what will be the conditions there and I know how to keep players fit. During coaching camp I worked hard with players by giving them special weight training and maintaining the glucose level,” he said. The 63rd Santosh trophy is being held in Tamil Nadu from May 23 and 31 teams from all over the country would participate.

published in Greater Kashmir on May-23-2009 http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=23_5_2009&ItemID=5&cat=4