All star exhibition match held in Srinagar

Ishfaq, Wadoo enthrall spectators with their Play

Srinagar, June 18: The city central Polo Ground Srinagar came alive on Thursday with the all star exhibition match that was organized by Football Players Welfare Association and sponsored by Srinagar Municipality Committee.

Apart from different international and national stars of valley who have been associated with different sports, valley’s two international footballers Ishfaq Ahmad and Mehraj-ud-din Wadoo played in the match. To watch the fun cum exhibition match large number of spectators had thronged Polo ground.

Mayor’s-XI was led by Ishfaq Ahmad while Commissioners-XI was led by Mehraj-ud-din Wadoo. In the match that was being played with the aim to promote football and other sports of valley players of both teams gave out their best performance.

From the start match was dominated by Commissioners-XI. Though Mayor’s-XI made some decent moves they were very few as compared to Commissioners-XI. The first half turned out as goalless. In second half Commissioners-XI stepped up their attack and they were successful in scoring back to back two goals. Khursheed scored first goal while second was scored by Hussain.

In match all the players were stars and had done something special in their respective sports field but whenever ball was under the possession of either Ishfaq or Wadoo the crowd was coming alive and were giving huge roar. Both stars did not disappoint their fans who had come in huge number by giving out their best.

Commissioners-XI won match by 2-0.

After the all star exhibition match between current footballers of valley was played. Like previous one this match was also led by Ishfaq and Wadoo.

It was first time that such a match was played in the history of valley football. The main aim of the match was to give fans some thing cheer as the football season in valley has not started yet despite climate been idle.

Wadoo said, “I cannot express how much happy I am. It is after long time that I played football in front of my own people. The more delightful experience was to play alongside to those who have taught me lot since my childhood.”

About the match and he said, “Though all the players who played were not footballers but they played excellent football. In the match their was Olympic skier, international kayaker, Cyclist and also cricketers.”

On the occasion Ishfaq said, “I always look for opportunity to play in valley. It was only because of that reason I played in last years Santosh trophy tournament that was held in Srinagar. So when FPWA asked me about the match I readily agreed to play.”

“It was fun to play alongside former stars of valley that have made state proud by achieving success in their respective sports field.” he added.

On the occasion J&K Football association was criticised by the spectators for wasting whole season without starting yearly league.

“Usually at this time of the year league football used to be in full swing but this year not a single match has been organized. We get only few months to enjoy football here in valley due to climatic conditions and Football Association has robed us of that as well” said septuagarian football fan Muhammad Ismail.

Pertinently in valley active football season is only for five months from mid April to ending September due to climatic conditions. Out of that almost two months have passed and there is no sign of league being started.

Teams

Mayor’s-XI: Ishfaq Ahmad, Zahoor Haroon, Abdul Qayoom (cricketer), Zahoor Bhat (cricketer), Reyaz Ahmad( cyclist), Khurshid Baba, Iftikhar, Zahoor Latoo( Kayaking), Mushtaq, Nazir Andrabi, Waseem Feroze, Aijaz Rah and Zahoor Teli.

Commissioner’s-XI: Mehrajj-ud-Din Wadoo, Syed Ahmad, Aijaz Ashai( Physio Therapist), Khursheed, Hussain, MY Dar, Gul Mustafa( Olympian),Tabrez, M Aslam, Samiullah (cricketer) and Tajamul.

Apeared in Greater Kashmir on June 19 http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=19_6_2009&ItemID=13&cat=4