Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR Sept 20: Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Transport Qamar Ali Akhoon declared 42nd All India Inter Zone Football Tournament (AIIZFT) open,which was organized by Food Corporation of India (FCI) in collaboration with Regional Sports Committee of Jammu and Kashmir State here at Polo ground this afternoon.
Speaking on the occasion the Minister said youth are the future of the nation and have to shoulder social obligation and responsibilities in shaping the destiny of the country. He said that the present leadership at national level is also focusing on to hand-over greater responsibilities to them in various programmes and plan formation and its implementation.
Akhoon said that promotion of sports is a key agenda of the coalition government in the State. He spelled out several measures taken during the past three years which include creating of sports infrastructure in the State. He said the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is keen to see sports activities gaining momentum and the state youth participating in big events. He said that it is the need of hour to imbibe spirit of sportsmanship in youth in addition to their academic career so that they live a healthy and prosperous life.
Akhoon reiterated that the government is giving due attention to all the three regions of the State. In this context, he referred to the holding of Chief Minister’s Polo Cup in Drass and Ice-hockey in Leh besides two major football matches played between famous football teams of the country, Muhammadan Sports Club and Mohan Baghan Sports Club of Kolkotta with JK-Football 11 in Srinagar recently. He said the idea is to give boost to such sports activity which have local acceptance as well.
Secretary, Zonal Sports Promotion Committee, New Delhi, M Akther who was also present on the occasion said that five days football tournament is being played from 20th to 24 September at Pologround, Srinagar, on league-cum-knock out basis in which 6 teams from all over the country are participating. He said final match of the tournament will be played on 24th September.
On the inaugural function Executive President and Chairman Sports J&K Bank Tafazul Hussain, ADGP K. Rajindra, Director CA&PD Mir Mushtaq Ahmad, Ex-DG YSS Nazir Ahmad Khan, media persons and thousands of sports lovers were present.
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