Goverment recognizes contribution of Kashmiri Olympian after 20 years

Honors Gul Mustafa Dev with state award

Abid Khan
Srinagar, Jan 27: Finally after 20 long years J&K Government recognized the services of only Olympian of State Gul Mustafa Dev by announcing state award for him for his contribution to sports in the state.
On the occasion of January 26 Republic Day, Government announced the state awards for 17 persons for their contribution in various fields of life, which included four sports persons. Those who figure in list are Mitali class 12th student for Gymnastic, Ram Singh Slathia for mountaineering, Ajay Sharma for table tennis and Gul Mustafa Dev for skiing would be honored for their contribution in the field of sports.
Gul Mustafa has got the credit of being only Olympian of state in any decline till date. He achieved that feat in February 1988 when he represented India in the Winter Olympic games in Calgary Canada.
Despite being the only Olympian of the state it took state Government more than 20 years to recognize the contribution of Gul and to honor him with state award. Gul is presently in Gulmarg training school students of various schools of state skiing as part of the Youth Services and Sports department snow skiing programe. He got news of award from one of his friend.
Talking to Greater Kashmir on phone from Gulmarg Gul Mustafa thanked government for finally recognizing his services.
He said, “ I am very happy and for this I am thankful to Government for recognizing my services in the field of sport. Though I think I should have got it very early but still I am happy that finally Government recognized my services”.
He said that getting state award is an honor and every individual aspire for it.“ It is an honor nothing more than that. Every state subject aspires for this honor and for it is now fulfilled and I am happy”.
Gul Mustafa a resident of Maharaja Bazaar Srinagar says, “ sports was in my blood and my father Haji Habi-ul-lah Dev was number one football goalkeeper of his times and was playing for Friends Club, seeing my fathers goalkeeping maneuvers Maharaja Hari Singh gave him the name of Habib Punz. After that every one knowed my father by this name”.
In February 1984 Mustafa participated in his first National games that were held in Gulmarg and due to his young age and lack of experience could not do well at these games. But in next years National game that were held exactly one year after the previous years nationals Mustafa proved his caliber by winning one gold in giant slalom and two Bronze medals in down hill race and slalom event. With his brilliant performance he was selected for Asian Winter Games that were held in Japan in February 1985 and Indian team got Fifth position there. In 1988 trials for Olympics were held in Gulmarg in which Gul got selection.
“To participate in Olympics is every sports persons dream but only few achieve it and to see my self-participating in reality, what I have not even imaged is the moment which I cannot describe” says Mustafa.
From 1993 Mustafa has trained more than 10,000 boys and girls in skiing at Gulmarg through the Skiing courses conducted by the Department of youth services and sports and among them many have participated in the national and international competitions.
Gul Mustafa has not only marveled in his sporting career but he has also given his full potential to the coaching profession as well.
In February 2004 Winter Sports of Federation of India selected Mustafa as a coach of sub junior team for junior Asian championship that was held in china.
About the scope of skiing in valley Gul Mustafa says, “Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg can hold worlds best skiing, and with the introduction of second phase of Gulmarg gondola skiing at high altitudes can be done that are more fascinating then doing in planes but the only thing needed to be done is to maintain and develop the slopes. It is not the snow and mountain that form ski slopes but slopes have different characteristics”.Skiing is the expensive game and every body cannot afford to by his own ski, the latest pair of ski costs around 50 thousand to one lakh rupees. Even our sports council has not got his own skiing equipments and they hire them from tourism department, he said.

published in greater kashmir on Janaury 28-2009 link: http://www.greaterkashmir.net/full_story.asp?Date=28_1_2009&ItemID=3&cat=4

On India’s republic day valley stadiums out of bounds for sportspersons

Abid Khan

Srinagar, Jan 25: Bakshi Stadium and Sheri Kashmir Indoor Stadium, the two main venues of Srinagar where hundreds of players practice daily have been closed for sports activities ahead of January 26 Republic Day celebrations.
On every January 26 and August 15, the stadiums are kept out of bound for players due to “security” reasons as parades for Republic Day and Independence Day functions are held here. Players of games like athletics, volleyball, thang-ta, judo, badminton and other martial arts practice daily and prepare themselves for different state and national events. From January 15, the players have been barred by security officials from entering inside.“I’ve been practicing in Bakshi Stadium for last three years and this problem happens every time on Aug 15 and Jan 26. It affects our preparations and takes toll at national championships. ” Said, Ubaid Shah, an athlete.“Bakshi Stadium athletic track is the only place available for athletes to practice in Valley, but vehicles parked by security forces during Independence and Republic day parades damage it and makes it injury prone. We are helpless and don’t know whom to contact,” he added. Officially the stadiums have been closed for players and coaches from January 20, but players were barred from entering into stadiums from January 5. Sports Council officials and coaches have been asked by security forces to stop training these days and convey students to come after January 26.“CRPF personnel asked us to stop training students till January 26 and from January 15 our students have not been allowed to enter into Indoor Stadium for practice despite having valid entry passes issued by Sports Council,” Sports Council instructor told Greater Kashmir.Due to heavy security presence outside the stadiums parents stop their children from going to practice due to fear.“I have stopped my son from going to the stadium to practices martial art and I’ll allow him only after January 26 as I don’t want to put his life on risk,” said Arshid Ahmad of Jawahar Nagar.
Sports fraternity have strongly reacted to the seizure of stadiums by the security forces in the wake of India’s Republic day.
General Secretary of J&K Sports Development, Riyaz Ahmad termed it unfortunate thing , which has been happening from last more than 20 years.
He said, “ It is not first time that stadiums have been kept out of bounds for the players of valley, it has been going on from last more than 20 years. It is unfortunate for the sports fraternity of valley that players are barred from practicing for about two months every year on the occasions of independence and republic day”. “Already due to harsh winter our players cannot practice regularly.”
He said that how could we expect medals from our players at national and international level when they aren’t able to practice regularly.
Another former athlete Mukhtar said that Government does not have sports high on its agenda and they don’t care about the up-liftment of sports.
He said, “Every political party which comes into power say that they have got sports high on its agenda but their slogans and assurances turn out as mere hoax as they don’t even care about it”. “The importance of the sports can be judged by the fact that new NC-Congress government doesn’t have as yet sports minister in its ministry.’
Joint Secretary Sports Council, Abdur Rouf said, “We have officially stopped our activities in the Bakshi Stadium from January 20 in the wake of upcoming Republic day celebrations. During these days only essential staff like electricians, ground staff and mangers will work there.”
About the deterioration of field that happens to due to these functions and the vehicles used in it he said, “The celebration and the vehicles used into parade really deteriorate the field turf and the athletic track around it. We are helpless, as we cannot due anything about it.”

Promotion of coaches as district in-charge flayed

‘HASTY DECISION WOULD MAR SPORTS IN KASHMIR’

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Jan 22: The J&K State Sports Council decision to handover the affairs of districts to coaches has come under severe criticism from the sports fraternity as they felt it would set in the rot in this already coach-starved sports body of the state. The Council reportedly issued an order wherein four coaches, one manager and one district-head have been promoted as in-charge officers for various districts. The order reads “they will now function as district in-charge and will undertake all the sports activities of district.” However, the new assignment is in addition to their current coaching task. “The appointments have been made in accordance with recruitment rules and the promoted will now act as district in-charges,” sports officer Kashmir, M S Baba said. The Sports Fraternity has criticized the Council for “taking the decision in haste without thinking about the consequences.” “We’re not against the promotions,” said a noted sports analyst, Sajid Hameed adding that any decision should go hand-in-hand with the safeguarding of the interests of a department. “These will serious mar sports in the valley especially when the number of coaches available with the Council is less.” He said the promotions have been effected without the appointment of new coaches. Another non-government sports body, the Jammu Kashmir Football Association, criticised the decision calling it detrimental to the sports in Kashmir. “The coaches deserve promotions but other related aspects have been ignored,” said an official of the Association, Fayaz Ahmad Sofi. He said the valley had several jobless coaches trained by the National Institute of Sports (NIS) who could have been taken. “We have a number of unemployed NIS coaches who should have been appointed before effecting these promotions,” he said. “The new government should initiate steps to streamline the Council to save the future of sports in the valley.” Even the officials of the Council seem unpleased with the decision: “The procedure and functioning of the Council in this case is objectionable,” said the joint secretary of the Council, Abdur Rouf. “I have no objection over the promotion of coaches but the decision will result in the dearth of coaches in the already ailing sports arena of the valley.” He said Jammu had more coaches compared to nine in the valley. “I don’t think they will be able to carry on with twin assignments with coaching being the prime one,” he said. He said that he had requested the secretary of the Council to halt the order until new coaches were recruited. He said the Council had set a wrong precedence and had done things such as these previously as well. “It is not for the first time that coaches have been appointed as district in-charges,” he said. “Coaches have been promoted as managers, under- secretaries and in-charges but they never delivered properly and were unable to do justice with their coaching assignment.” He said that such procedure should be abolished sooner than later.

published in GK on january 23-2009 : http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=23_1_2009&ItemID=3&cat=4

New era begins in valley's football with successfull conclusion of ISAT winter football tourney

Kashmir Mughuls, ISAT FC, ISAT-A Lift Trophies

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Jan 21: In the International Football Academy Trust (ISAT) winter special seven-A-side football tournament which concluded here at Polo ground today, Kashmir Mughals, ISAT Football Club and ISAT-A lifted the A-Division, B-Division and under-16 titles respectively at Polo Ground. Coincidentally, the outcome of all the matches was decided by tie-breaker.The day began with the under-16 final between ISAT-A and Young Football Club, Solina. The Young Football Club dominated the first half the match and were successful in scoring one goal. The sustained the lead till the end of the half time. In the second half, ISAT boys changed the gear and counterattacked their opponents ferociously but they missed several opportunities to score, however not before converting one into the equaliser. At the end of the match, the score was tied at 1-1. The outcome of the match was decided by tiebreaker in which ISAT defeated the Young Football Club 3-2 and lifted the U-16 title.In the second final of the B-Division between ISAT FC and Novelty, both teams played aggressively from the word go. Both teams scored a goal each in the allotted time and the outcome was decided by tiebreaker. In the tie-breaker, the ISAT FC converted four penalty strokes into goals while as Novelty scored only thrice. The ISAT FC lifted the B-division title, 5-4.The attraction of the day, however, was the crowd-puller final between Kashmir Mughals and Solina Greens in the A-division category. Both the finalists played attacking football from the word go with Solina Greens taking the lead by scoring first. Minutes later, Kashmir Mughals scored the equalizer--thanks to due to a mistake committed by Solina keeper. At the end of half time, the score was tied at 1-1.In the second half, Kashmir Mughals dominated the game and thwarted each move Solina players made and kept the ball under their feet all the time. Neither of the teams could score a goal in the allotted time.The outcome of the match was decided by tiebreaker in which five penalties were awarded to both the teams. Kashmir Mughals converted two penalty strokes into goals while as Solina Greens could convert only one thus losing the match 3-2. As soon as the last kick was taken, the whole team burst into jubilation and were joined by hundreds of spectators.The deputy commissioner, Srinagar, Mehrajudin Kakroo, who was the chief guest on the occasion, distributed prizes among the winners.Speaking on the occasion, he said, “I am really delighted to see football being played in winter in the valley. It is for the first time such an initiative has been taken and the credit goes to Brazilian Coach Marcos.”He said Marcos gave Kashmir football a new lease of life by keeping it alive in the winter. “I can say Marcos has given a new life to football in the valley and he has showed how to keep the game alive in winters.”He said that the climate conditions were adverse for playing football in the valley. “It is essential to keep sports activities going on all the time to achieve higher standards at national and International level,” he said.He said his administration was committed to promote sports in the valley.He stressed the need to strengthen the sports at grass root level: “In order to make a mark at the national and international level, we need to catch players young.”Former footballers and fans praised Marcos for his efforts. Muhammad Ismail Chapri who has been associated with football for the last 60 years, termed the tournament as a milestone in the history of football in valley. “It is a new beginning for which the entire credit goes to Marcos,” he said. “He has shown us a way forward to keep the game going on all throughout the year.”Similar views were expressed by another former player and senior member JKFA, Mushtaq Ahmad Kanth.One of the spectators, Irshad Ahmad of Dalgate said that he had been watching football from his childhood but never saw any tournament being organized in winter.Delighted over the heartening response the tournament received, Marcos said he had never thought the tournament would be a great crowd-puller. “Over 40 teams participated in more than 100 matches,” he said. “The level of competition in each game was high.”He said the future of football in Kashmir was bright.He thanked the J&K Football Association and grounds manager of the Sports Council for their support in organizing the event.

published in greater kashmir on january 22-2009 link: http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=22_1_2009&ItemID=2&cat=4

Feature: Srinagar Girls Play Football

Popularity of football in India is on the rise and Indian girls are eager to jump on the ship. Abid Khan reports from Srinagar on a unique football tournament exclusively for girls…..

Abid Khan

The girls of Srinagar district have created history by participating in the first ever Inter District girl's football tournament that has kicked off at the Bakshi Stadium on Friday in which eight district teams from the Kashmir province participated. This was the first ever girls’ Under-19 football to be organized in the valley. Last year girls from J&K participated for the first time in the national school football tournament, the girls from Kashmir comprising of only Srinagar based girls. Taking clue from that, the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports department this year decided to organize a football tournament for girls. Setting standards for the rest of the districts, girls from Srinagar were the first to start playing football. The District Srinagar Youth Services and Sports Department first organized a month long coaching camp for the selected girls in order to prepare them for the match between Kargil girls and Srinagar girls. But as the Government was dissolved the match too was abandoned. Now as the dates for the Inter District tournament were announced, the same 20 selected girls, who have already learned almost all the basic skills of football, had been training at the Biscoe School ground daily from July 26 under the guidance of Youth Services and Sports department coach Mushtaq Ahmad Dar. Giving details about the camp Mushtaq said,"It is second time that I am training these girls. This time it is easy as compared to the first instance. That time girls the did not even how many players there are in a team, what the penalty area is and all the other related basic points. I had to teach them both theoretically and practically. First I taught them all the rules of the game and after that they started to play." Mushtaq says that it was only because of the dedication and will of these girls that they are playing football today, "It was never easy to make them play football but from very first moment of the coaching all the girls were interested in it. They wanted to play football and that made things easy for them. Outside the field they exchange jokes with each other but once they are on the field things become serious that shows how seriously these girls take football.” One of the participants, Farhana Fareed of Girls Higher Secondary School Kothi Bagh, said,"I started to play football last year and represented my state in National School Games. At the time I knew nothing about football and had seen it only on television. But once I understood the rules and other things involved it I started to like it. If I don't play it for few days I start to feel awkward." Another participant, Usha, gives credit to coach Mushtaq,"I would have never imagined that I would be playing but it is all because of coach Mushtaq who motivated not only me but all of us. At times he was bit harsh on us but most of the time he treated us with softness. He always said to us that we should be focused the job that is given to us on a particular day and it is because of that we learnt playing football." The team was made up of these players: Bisma Ali, Geetu Thapa, Farhan Farid, Nazima Hassan, Rukhsana, Sozya, Nusrat, Nuzhat Hamid, Anjum, Nuzhat, Vidya, Usha, Zeenat, Naomi Mushtaq Ahmad (coach).

published in goal .com on august-6-2009 link : http://www.goal.com/en-india/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=807698

Sports Council coaches accused of lackadaisical approach

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Jan 20: In spite of the services of nine coaches and five instructors available to the J&K State Sports Council, no sports activity under its aegis has taken place for quite sometime now. “Sports activities have virtually come to a standstill in Kashmir,” said a senior official of the Council who wished not to be named. “It is an irony that not a single camp is being held in any discipline right now.” The Council has two hockey coaches, one posted at Bakshi stadium and the other at Budgam but no event was held in the previous year has indicating the level of seriousness of their assignment. Two judo coaches, one at Islamabad and the other at Bakshi Stadium, have failed to revive the sport which is fast losing its foothold in the valley. The Athletics coach posted at Pulwama is on earned leave presently. “The fact that not a single athlete of either the state or national level has been produced during the last six years speaks of the performance of the athletic coaches,” sources in the department said. “The lack of coaching has forced many athletes to abandon the sport.”In Kho-Kho, there is one coach posted at Bakshi Stadium but the activities are organised by the department of Youth Services and Sports. “Not a single coaching camp was organised by the Council in last two years,” the sources said. In weightlifting, the Council has one coach posted at Bakhshi Stadium but the activities have been taken over by the Weightlifting Association. In the most cherished sport of the valley, football, the activities seem as if hijacked by the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association and other private clubs. “Despite a football coach available, the Council is fatigued by lack of commitment,” sources said.In Wu-Shu, there is one instructor and despite the immense martial-art talent available in the valley, Wu-Shu players have not been able to come to the expectations. Similarly in Thang-Ta, the Council has one instructor. Despite the Thang-Ta Association winning medals at the national level, the Council has failed to make a mark in the sport.In the lesser known sport, Ball Badminton, the instructor has struggled to find a role for himself. “The coach is engaged with the activities of the association rather than training the players,” sources said.Likewise, swimming and skiing instructors of the Council have failed to initiate their activities.“The coaches and the instructors are drawing their salaries for doing nothing,” said a senior official of the department pleading anonymity. “Though we have fewer coaches available in comparison to Jammu, they are not doing their job. The Council has failed to produce a single sportsman so far.”He said the Council had organised a coaching carnival way back in 2000. “Thousands of players took part in the carnival,” he said. “All of hoped that Kashmir would prove itself a sanctuary of sports persons.”He said within no time, the coaching camps became a thing of past and the stadia wore a ghostly look once again. “The coaches seem pleased by their lackadaisical approach,” he said.One of the former athletes, Rouf Ahmad, said the coaches were busy in organising activities of their own associations. “They make good money by indulging in activities of their associations,” he said.He said if some one could come all the way from Brazil to organise activities in the winter why could our coaches sit back and relax: “Winter has been a big excuse here, but the Brazilian coach has proved them wrong,” he said while referring to the football tournament being organised Marcos. He said the coaches in Jammu have toiled hard to lift the standard of sports there. “If they can organise activities uninterruptedly, why cannot our coaches organise even a single coaching camp in a year,” he said. “They have confined their activities to accompanying teams for national events just for the heck of it.”NIS football coach, Sajid Dar, blamed the Sport Council administration for the mess. “The administration has failed to assign them regular assignments,” he said. “The coaches wouldn’t sit lazy if they get assignments on regular basis.”

published in greater kashmir on Janaury 21-2009 linl : http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=21_1_2009&ItemID=6&cat=4

Samiullah in North Zone team for Duleep Trophy

ABID KHAN

Srinagar, Jan 17: Speedster Samiullah Beigh has been included in the North Zone team for the prestigious Duleep Trophy, which is scheduled from January 22. Without disclosing the names of players, the North Zone selection committee today said the squad would be led by Akash Chopra while as Amit Mishra has been chosen as vice-captain. The committee meeting was held at Chandigarh with Yashpal Sharma in chair and was attended by Chetan Chauhan, Sunil Dev and representatives of North Zone teams. The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association was represented by its secretary Saleem Khan. Confirming Samiullah’s inclusion in the team, Saleem said, “It is matter of pride for the Valley us as the fast bowler has been selected second consecutive time for the tournament”. “I hope he performs well and impresses national selectors,” he said. Saleem said the selectors have not announced the team yet. He said, “The committee was waiting for the announcement of Indian cricket team and was holding back the names of other players in the North Zone squad”. When contacted, the fast bowler expressed happiness over the selection. “It is great to see myself in the squad. I got a call from JKCA secretary today about the selection,” he said. Samiullah thanked the JKCA president, Dr Farooq Abdullah and secretary, Saleem Khan for their support. The speedster said his aim was to play for Team India and IPL. “I have performed up to my full potential in the Ranji Trophy” In the five Ranji Trophy matches this year, Samiullah took 25 wickets with two five-wicket hauls. Apart from bowling he has also contributed with bat and scored 61, 48, 44, 42, 40 and 33 in respective matches. The fast bowler also contributed to the JK team success against Haryana. He took nine wickets and scored 52 runs in the match. In last season, he took 24 wickets in five matches with two five-wicket hauls and scored 137 runs. In Ranji test matches, Sami has taken 49 wickets with an average of 4.9 wickets per match. Despite such brilliant performance, he was not picked for Zonal team. It was only after the JKCA intervention and pressure from cricket fraternity that he was selected for the team. This year, Duleep Trophy will be played on knockout basis. South Zone and Central Zone, the teams placed at the bottom of their respective groups last season, will play a qualifying match in Bangalore from January 22. The winner will take on defending champion North Zone in the first semi-final, while East Zone will clash with West Zone in the second match. The final, scheduled on February 5, will be played in Chennai.

published on Janury 18-2009 link :http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=18_1_2009&ItemID=2&cat=4