Eager to channelise the energy of the youth in the valley in positive fields like sports, the Centre, the Union sports ministry and the Jammu and Kashmir government are working overtime to bring top-level football to Kashmir before the onset of Ramazan from July 20.
If all goes well, Kolkata’s top football club, Mohammedan Sporting will play exhibition matches against J&K Eleven in Srinagar on July 15 and in Leh on July 18. Another top Kolkata football club, Mohun Bagan, is also expected to play matches in Jammu, Srinagar and Leh in September.
The last time people watched good football here was during Santosh trophy in 2008. Thereafter, the valley failed to conduct any top level sporting event due to continuous turmoil. The government is keen to use the current window of peace to build bridges with the youth.
The valley is also expected to host cricket matches with Pune Warriors. The last big cricket match was hosted in Srinagar in 1986 against Australia. “Sahara India has agreed to play in principle. Talks with it are in advance stage for the final itinerary,” the official said.
In addition, the Centre has recently given a special grant of Rs4.5 crore to lay down artificial turf at TRC grounds in Srinagar. Brazilian football coach Marcos, who has battled heavy odds to revive the love for football, is a happy man now. Finally, Marcos’s 350 keen disciples will have a good ground to play and realise their dreams.
“In sports ministry and J&K government, people are working overtime to make it happen. It is on the top of the agenda for sports minister Ajay Maken,” a senior government official told DNA.
