With 63rd Santosh Trophy Scheduled To Be Held In Tamil Nadu From May 23, JK Team Has Been Shortlisted And Is Undergoing A Coaching Camp In Srinagar. The Final Team Would Be Announced Shortly.
TAMEEM AHMAD BHAT
AGE: 24
POSITION: Midfield
TEAMS PLAYED: Young Iqbal, Iqbal Sports, JKSRTC and BSNL
EMPLOYER TEAM: BSNL
Tameem is ranked among the top footballers of the Valley. He has been unfortunate of not having represented state in any Santosh Trophy tournaments till date. He was shortlisted in 2007, but was ruled out due to injury and last year he withdraw his name from trials as he had to participate in the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) trials at Jammu. He lost opportunity to represent state in front of its own people, but got the job in BSNL football team.“It was difficult decision that time to withdraw, but for livelihood, I had to make that decision. I couldn’t participate in the event but I got job in BSNL team,” he said.Tameem started playing football at young age and participated in various local tournaments in his early days. “It was in 1999 when I joined Young Iqbal football team and within a year I was appointed as captain. Under my leadership team won B-division league and qualified for A-division,” Tameem said.Later he joined Iqbal Sports, a super division side and it was during that period he showed his real talent. Seeing his leadership quality and command over other players, Iqbal Sports appointed him captain and under his leadership club achieved many milestones. In 2004, JKSRTC selected him.During his stay at SRTC, Tameem achieved all the millstones for which every Valley footballer aspires. With SRTC, he won state championship and remained runner-up in league tournaments. Apart from that they also lifted number of trophies all over the state. Tameem is known as big match player and whenever SRTC was playing against arch rivals JK Bank he gave best performance.In 2008 Tameem got offer from I-league club Mumbai FC, but he declined that due to personal reasons.“Everyone told me that I made wrong decision, but my family comes first and Allah rewarded me with job in BSNL,” he said.In his first year for JK BSNL team, in All Indian BSNL meet, Tameem gave one of his best performances. In the tournament he scored nine goals and with the help of that team was able to win three matches. He was adjudged as player of the tournament.As JKBSNL team played only in national events, Tameem has again joined Iqbal Sports in Super Diviosn league.In national events, Tameem has represented state in various junior national events. In under-16 level, he has represented the state twice. First time in Delhi and second as captain in Kerala. He has also played in Subroto Mukherjee Cup alongside Mehraj-ud-Din Wadoo and Ishfaq Ahmad. In under-19 age group, he represented state in Kerala and Jammu. He has represented state in under-21 level twice held at Haldiwani and Haryana. In both events, JK was able to qualify upto semifinal stage. Last year, he also represented Kashmir University in inter-university football tournament in Gadwall University, Uttranchal in which KU qualified to quarterfinal. Apart from that he has played in various national level open tournaments alongside SRTC team.He has also excelled in seven-A-side format football, which is shorter version of game. In last year’s Vice-Chancellors Seven-A-Side football tournament, Tameem was adjudged as best player and was awarded the golden boot award. Experts say Tameem is a skilled player. He has got good control over ball, good distribution skills, good drilling ability and excellent match temperament. In pressure situations, he never loses cool, which makes him a dangerous player.His only shortcoming is that he is a bit slow and lacks tackling ability. If he concentrates on it, there is no better player in valley than him, experts say.About chances of JK team in the Santosh Trophy, he said, “Team has right combination of young and senior players and I’m confident we would do well. I would give my best for the team.”
Apeared in Greater Kashmir on May 15 http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=15_5_2009&ItemID=21&cat=4
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