ISHFAQ KEY CONTENDER FOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR

ABID KHAN

Srinagar, Apr 27: Mohun Bagan football club winger Ishfaq Ahmad has emerged as the key contender for the mid-fielder of the year in the I-League.
 The 2008-09 football season came to end with the super-cup tie between Federation Cup winners, Mohun Bagan and I-league winners Churchill Brothers at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Gurgaon on Sunday. Mohun Bagan won the match by 2-1.
 A Super Cup is played between the winners of the top division and the Federation Cup every year at the end of the I-League. 
 The All India Football Federation honors the best in each category of goalkeeper, defender, mid-fielder, striker and coach.
 Every coach in the I-League is asked to send his three choices for each slot and the top of the picks are then honored with awards.
 Four names for mid-field have been nominated by AIFF, which includes Kalu Nnanna of Churchill Brothers, Kalia Kulothungan of Mumbai FC, Marcos Pereira and Ishfaq Ahmed of Mohun Bagan.
 Ishfaq has emerged as the key contender to get the award after his name was included by the International football website, Goal.Com, in the team of the season. Apart from that website has also included his name in the key contenders for the mid-fielder of year award.
 Website writes in praise of Ishfaq: “The former Dempo man has rediscovered himself at Mohun Bagan this season. He was lively on the left hand side of midfield throughout the season and played a big part in Bagan’s second place finish. Like Anthony he would be looking to score more goals next season but will certainly be happy with his performance this season.”
 Speaking to Greater Kashmir over phone from Gurgoan, Ishfaq said, “It is great honor to be nominated among the best mid-fielders of the year. This year I have worked really hard on my fitness, due to which I was able to give my best for the team.”
 “To be nominated is already big achievement but if I get the award then it will be biggest achievement of my playing career” he said.
 About the name in the team of the season by Goal.Com, international footballer said, “I think my performance has impressed the experts of the website and it will go on my side in the run up to awards.”
 Ishfaq is regarded by many as India’s fastest footballer. 
  “With the ball, I somehow automatically start running when I get the ball, it comes naturally to me, it is a kind of God’s gift and what happens when I run at pace, it helps to create space for my strikers and my midfield as well. I get more power with the ball. However, I am a little bit slow without the ball, which is what I have to improve upon. I do run off ball but not as fast as I do with the ball.”
 Among the other awards Odafa Okolie is the favorite to win the best striker and player award apart from the Golden Boot, which he shall receive for the third straight season.
 For the goalkeeper, Mohun Bagan’s Sangram Mukherjee leads the pack having played a key role in the club’s record 10 match unbeaten streak.
 Churchill Brothers Gouramangi Singh is the unanimous choice for the best defender. Mohun Bagan’s Karim Bencherifa and Churchill Brothers’ Zoran Djordjevic are the likely candidates for the best coach award.
Last season, Odafa Okolie bagged two awards with the Golden Boot and best player trophies. Dempo’s Mahesh Gawli and Climax Lawrence alongwith their club coach Armando Colaco won the awards in the defender, midfielder and the coach categories.

published in Greater kashmir on april 28-2009 link http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=28_4_2009&ItemID=4&cat=4

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

Abid Nabi refutes JKCA president’s allegations

‘I never ran away from camp, injury forced me to leave’

ABID KHAN

Srinagar, Apr 22: A week after J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) president, Dr Farooq Abdullah, said that pacer Abid Nabi had run away from a coaching camp in Chennai some years ago, the bowler on Wednesday denied the allegations.
 “I’m at loss to understand why after years, JKCA accused me of running away from the camp. Why did they remain silent that time,” Abid asked.
 He said that he had to return from the camp due to stress fracture.
 “I was in MRF Pace Academy, Chennai for four month stint in 2004-05. But after undergoing training for one and half month, I got injured and had to return back. I went to SK Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura where doctors diagnosed stress fracture in my both shinbones. I was advised complete bed rest for two months,” he revealed.
 Abid said that JKCA authorities knew it. 
 Dr Farooq last week during a press conference, while replying to a question that JKCA wasn’t doing enough to promote local players at national level replied that state players don’t tolerate rigorous training methods at national level. He quoted example of Abid Nabi.
 “I don’t blame JKCA president as he doesn’t know anything about it. Some vested interests have misled him,” he said.
 About his association with Indian Cricket League (ICL), he said, “I got a chance to show my talent in ICL. I did it both for monetary benefits as well as for my career. But subsequently JKCA banned me “
 “ICL gave me recognition at national level. After the latest allegation, people called me and I had to explain what was the matter,” he said.
 About playing for home team in Ranji trophy, he said, “ I’m always ready to serve my state and whenever they will call me I’ll be available.”

published in Greater kashmir on April 23 -2009 link http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=23_4_2009&ItemID=7&cat=4

MOHUN BAGAN PICKS ISHFAQ FOR KUWAIT MATCH

Abid Khan

Srinagar, Apr 20: Mohun Bagan has picked up valley’s international footballer, Ishfaq Ahmad, in its team that is going to take on Kuwait SC in the AFC cup match in Kuwait on Tuesday.
 The 17-member Mohun Bagan team on Sunday left for Kuwait. The team is without the skipper Baichung Bhutia, who had sustained ankle injury. Odafe had suffered ankle injury.
 In absence of star striker Baichung, the team coach has said that he will put extra responsibility on Ishfaq.
 Mohun Bagan had lost the home match against Kuwait on April 7 at Howrah stadium in Kolkata by 1-0. Now in the match scheduled for Tuesday, the team needs to win and that too by a margin of two goals.
 Ishfaq told Greater Kashmir over phone that the season has been turnaround year for him. “Despite having stars like Baichung and Barreto in the side, I have been able to impress everyone with my play,” he added.
 “I have to prove my worth on the field and that too against East Bengal and other foreign team. Against Kuwait SC, I will try my best to help my team to win. We need to win this match by a difference of two goals and that is not easy task,” he said.
 About his clubs’ missed chance to win the I-league, he said, “Everybody wants to win the championship and there would be a regret that we could not win it. But we won the Federation Cup and won 10 league matches in a series which is an achievement.”
 Highlighting the positive sides of their 2008-2009 season, Ishfaq said, “I think our 2008-2009 season has been okay but if we had won the League, it would have been perfect. But thanks to Allah, we could achieve something this season.”
 Side: Sangram, Shilton, Rahul Kumar, Manju, Dipak, Vashan, Mohanraj, Habibur, Ishfaq, James Sr, Lalkamal, Rakesh, Lalramluah, Marcos, Barreto, Branco and Lalampuia.

published in Greater Kashmir on April 21: http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=21_4_2009&ItemID=7&cat=4

Hi-tech cricket academy coming up by December 2009

‘SK Stadium would be renovated on Feroz Shah Kotla pattern’

ABID KHAN

Srinagar, Apr 19: After getting permission from Srinagar Municipal Corporation, J&K Cricket Association is all set to start work on world-class cricket academy.
 The SMC permitted JKCA to construct the academy adjacent to Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, Sonwar. The Board of Control for Cricket in Indian (BCCI) had sanctioned Rs 10 crore for setting up of two academies in Jammu and Kashmir provinces.
 JKCA general secretary, Saleem Khan said the academies would improve the standard of cricket.
 “BCCI has sanctioned Rs 5-crore for each academy. In Jammu, former chief minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad had allotted land to JKCA, but that is too far from main city. We are thinking whether to establish the stadium in Jammu on existing land or not,” he said. 
 He said that the BCCI has made it mandatory for state associations to establish academies.
 “The deadline to establish academy for us was April 2009. But due to last year’s circumstances, which included agitation and election, followed with winter months, we were not able to start work on the project. As a special case, the governing body has extended the last date up to December this year,” he added.
 He said that the academy would be built on the pattern of National Cricket Academy, Bangalore and all the facilities would be available for players.
 “Our Delhi based architects have made the designs. There would be four indoor-synthetic and cemented turfs, air-conditioned swimming pool, hi-tech gymnasium, conference and lecture halls, 30- five-star facility rooms and audio/video analysis. It will gave all the facilities for hosting international teams,” he revealed.
 About the benefits of academy in improving the standard of Cricket in the Valley, he said, “ Currently our players can practice only during summer months. The academy would have indoor facility where practice can be done in winter months also.”
 “Talented players in all age groups would be trained by expert coaches. We have not decided on coaches yet, but they would be international ones, “ he said.
 About renovation of present Stadium, he said, “ JKCA president, Dr Farooq Abdullah has a dream of making international standard stadium in the Valley. He has pledged to start work on that before his term ends. Those are future plans and at present we are fully renovating SK Stadium with the help of Kothari architects who have designed Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi.”
 The JKCA is also planning to organize junior level tournaments from this year.
 “We are starting different age group tournaments shortly. From this year only those players would be considered for Ranji and other national level selections who will attend these camps. For Ranji trophy we will do selection before one month in order to prepare the team better,” he said.
 The BCCI has given relaxation to every state to include one international and two outside state test player in Ranji squad. Taking benefit of that, JKCA last year included three outside players in their squad. But none of them could make any impact. They were over-age and had no international match experience. 
 “Last season we included players in hurry as the relaxation was given at last moment. This year, we will include those who will have international experience and who really can motivate our players,” Khan said.
 “Apart from international players we will bring former international greats to valley for interacting with our players” he added.

FACILITIES IN ACADEMY 
● The main cricket stadium (SK stadium)
● Indoor four cement practice wickets 
● Bowling machines
● State-of-the-art gymnasium
● Lecture hall
● Audio/Video analysis
● 30 Air-conditioned rooms 
● Catering services
● Swimming Pool

Published in Greater Kashmir on april 20-2009 http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=20_4_2009&ItemID=7&cat=4

Mallinson lifts inter-school basketball title

ABID KHAN

Srinagar, Apr 17: Mallinson School lifted under-17 and 19 district Srinagar inter-school Basketball titles, defeating Girls Higher Secondary Amirakadal in the finals played at the basketball court of the school here on Friday.
In both the matches, Mallinson girls dominated and never allowed opponents to regroup.
In under-17 category final, Mallinson defeated GHS Amirakadal by 12-2 baskets. From the start Mallinson girls played aggressively. They scored first basket in first minute of the play. Asmat Ashraf was the scorer. Asmat was the star for the winning team, scoring eight out of 12 baskets while Useeba scored two. 
Through out the match Asmat with her quick reflexes and moving ability kept Amirakadal girls on toes. She was scoring at will, as no one was able to stop her. In the concluding minutes of the match when she saw whole focus of Amirakadal players on her, she changed tactics and passed the ball to other players.
The under-19 girl’s final also turned out one-sided affair. Mallinson thrashed Amirakadal 12-0. With this win Mallinson made clean sweep in the inter-school Basketball championship. They lifted both the titles. Mallinson School physical director, JS Gabriel credited regular practice for dominance of his school in Basketball.
“We give regular coaching to our players and it is because of that we have been successful in keeping our dominance intact,” he said.
Earlier on Thursday, four matches were played in two age groups. Girls Higher Secondary School (GHS) Amirakadal defeated GHS Nawakadal by 18-2 baskets in first match of under-19 category while in second match Mallinson School defeated GHS Kothi Bagh by 18-4.
In under-17 category, Mallinson School defeated Iqbal Memorial School by 12-6 in first match while in second GHS Amirakadal beat JMI by 2-0.
Meanwhile, boys competitions which are being held at Burn Hall School basketball court, Delhi Public School defeated SP Higher Secondary School in a one sided affair by 29-1. With this win they booked place in final where they will lock horns with Biscoe School. The final is scheduled on Saturday.
The tournaments are being organized by District Srinagar Youth Services and Sports, department.
Younis Ahmad, a DYSS official said, “It is due to the efforts of DYSS that basketball is alive in valley. J&K Basketball Association has not organized a single event in Kashmir till date. They organize activities in Jammu only. But in school national events we give equal chance to valley players and they have shown how talented they are.”
Younis urged Sports Council authorities to take strong action against the Basket Ball Association for not promoting and giving chance to Kashmiri players.
“Basket ball can be promoted in valley only after Sports Council takes strong action against the Association which is based in Jammu,” he added.

Publihsed in Greater Kashmir on april 18 2009 http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=18_4_2009&ItemID=3&cat=4

Discrimination with Kashmiri players

Out of 51 recognized associations, 34 are Jammu based

ABID KHAN

Srinagar, Apr 16: Out of 51 recognized sports associations in the state, 34 run their activities exclusively in Jammu province leaving little scope for Valley based sportsmen to participate in national level events. 
The State Sports Council funds 51 associations out of which only 13 are Kashmir based. Four associations have been declared defunct by the SSC. 
Most of the Jammu based Associations, which include A-class games like Athletics, Gymnastics, Boxing, Cycling, Fencing and Hockey haven’t activated their district units in the Valley. Even they don’t organize activities in Kashmir and national teams comprise of only Jammu players. Despite SSC releases monetary grants to them without any hindrance.
“As most of the Kashmiri players weren’t able to participate in sports activities during militancy period, it resulted in Jammu people taking advantage of the situation. They took over most of the high profile associations and started to sideline Kashmiri players in all sorts of activities,” a senior official of SSC said on the condition of anonymity.  
“During 1990’s SSC gave turmoil as the reason for not selecting Valley players. But despite change in situation in Kashmir, the condition remains the same. Kashmir players don’t even get five percent of share in selection,” he added.
For this discrimination, he blamed Kashmir based SSC members who have not been able to raise the voice against the injustice.
A SSC member told Greater Kashmir, “Both the provinces have same number of members in SSC body. But still Jammu lobby always remains strong. They take whatever benefits they can while Kashmir members remain mute spectators,” 
“SSC lacks accountability. Most of these associations have misused funds by not organizing activities in Kashmir region, which is mandatory” he added.
J&K Sports Development Association, President Mukhtar Rasool blamed SSC for the mess.
“All districts should get equal share in every sports. But Kashmir region gets nothing as compared to Jammu. All the major games are based in Jammu and they don’t give chance to the Valley players. Jammu based associations don’t organize activities in Kashmir but get full monetary benefits from the Council. This can’t happen without involvement of the Council officials,” Mukhtar said.
He said that in high profile games like Boxing and Gymnastic, Valley has not produced single players because of discrimination.
“Valley hasn’t produced even a single gymnast despite having lots of talent. It is because our players don’t get chance. Associations don’t select them for any national event and even doesn’t organize district and provincial level activities for them,” he added.
He said that as compared to Jammu based major Associations most of the Kashmir based Association organize activities in Jammu province.
“Thang-ta, Tennis Ball Cricket, Football, Cricket, Winter Sports and Netball association organize activities in Jammu and give their players equal chance. It is because of that attitude that all these games have produced wonderful results at national level,” he said.
Sports Officer Kashmir, MS Baba agreed that most of the Jammu based Associations don’t organize activities in the Valley.
Asked why they get monetary benefits from the Council, he said, “I’m at loss to understand how they get funds. I send regular updates to higher authorities about the activities of the associations. But higher authorities have not taken any action till date.”
“Even players come to my office complaining about the discrimination, but I’m helpless” he declared.

Jammu Associations 
Athletic, Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Billiard and Snooker, Body Building, Cycling, Fencing, Gymnastic, Hockey, Handball, Indian Style Wrestling, Judo, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Karate-do, Korfball, Lawn Tennis, Mountaineering, Olympic Association, Roller Skating, Swimming, Softball, Table Tennis, Taekwon-do, Volleyball, Veterans Athletic, Wrestling, Women’s Hockey, Women’s cricket, Women’s Football, Wu-Shu and Yoga.

Kashmir Associations
Ball Badminton, Chess, Cricket, Cycle Polo, Carom, Football, Kayaking and Canoeing, Netball, Tenni-Koit, Tennis ball Cricket, Thang-Ta, Water Skiing and Winter Sports,

Defunct Associations 
Weightlifting, Power lifting, Squash Racket, Horse Polo

Publihsed in Greater Kashmir April 17 2009 http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=17_4_2009&ItemID=3&cat=4