Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 17: Two Kashmiri young football players, Basit Ahmad and Mohammad Asrar, who are going to play for Spanish Football Cub, called on the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti here today.
Students of 12th standard, the two young Valley footballers have been playing the game from childhood and one of them-Asrar-has even played the Santosh Trophy, Durand Cup and Indian League whileas as Basit has played the sub junior nationals and Indian League besides other national level football tournaments.
Congratulating the two, the Chief Minister said she was happy to see young boys and girls from the State breaking new grounds in sports. She said it is not a mere coincidence that our young generation is attaining feats in different fields but it is the talent in them which is getting attracted. “Our youth have ample talent but do they have ample opportunities to display it”, she questioned.
Wishing them success in their forthcoming matches, Mehbooba Mufti hoped that Basit and Asrar would become role models for many of our young people. She reminded the two young players of a glorious past the State had in football adding that at one time Jammu & Kashmir gave the country captain of the national soccer team. She hoped the lost glory of football would come back to the State and players like Basit and Asrar would be instrumental in that.
The two young players informed the Chief Minister about the multi stage selection process and the rigorous coaching schedules they have been through. They also shared their thoughts about improving the game in the State.
The duo is shortly leaving for Madrid for the coaching and other preparations.
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