Srinagar, June 25: In the first of its kind gesture in the sports arena of State, the J&K Sports Development Association (JKSDA) felicitated football coach, Sajid Yousuf Dar and top athlete Tanveer Hussain at Green Valley Educational Institute (GVEI) auditorium here on Monday.
 The Association felicitated Sajid for achieving the feat of becoming first ever coach from J&K State to reach upto International level by leading Indian Under-14 team in Nepal. He was honoured with trophy and check of rupees 25000. Tanveer was felicitated for completing the 100-kilometre run from Srinagar to Pahalgam. He was honoured with trophy and cash prize of rupees 5000.
 The JK Bank Executive President and Sports Board Chairman, Taffazul Hussain was the chief guest on the occasion while International footballer and JKSDA chairman, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, was the guest of honour. Among others present were former general secretary of J&K Football Association and Chairman Iqbal Sports, Bashir Ahmad Malik, GVEI Chairman Muhammad, Yousuf Wani and Principal GVEI, Prof. GN Aali.
 The function started with the school anthem sung by little kids of the institute. 
 Welcoming the guest Prof Aali said, “GVEI is always at the service of sports and encouraging of players. When we got to know that two sports stars would be honoured we readily agreed to host the event. We feel it our privilege and GVEI gates are open for these kind of events.”
 Chief Guest Taffazul Hussain while hailing JKSDA for taking such a groundbreaking step said, “I think it is first time I am noticing that our sports stars are being honoured. We should be encouraging our players and always be ready to help them”.
 “Sajid and Tanveer are jewels of our sports arena and they have achieved rare feats. Sajid while making his name in the International level of coaching by leading Indian national side has also made name for the football coaches of Valley. Tanveer on the other hand despite all odds has achieved top sport in athletic arena of State,” he said.
 Taffazul said that Government circles should have come forward to honour these stars but here we are seeing private organisation doing their job.
 “Our organisation has been in forefront of promoting sports in State from last three decades. We keep helping players, organising events, sponsoring events. It is never ending process and we feel proud of it,” he said.
 “It is my second visit to this institute and I was awestruck when I saw such a huge infrastructure with lush green surroundings around in this part of the City. For this management of institute deserve every applause,” he said.
 On the occasion he also announced that JK Bank would be honouring many sports persons including Sajid and Tanveer during inaugural ceremony scheduled JK Bank national gold cup.
 “We are contemplating awarding many sports persons during inaugural ceremony of gold cup and that will include these two stars as well,” he said.
 Mehrajjudin Wadoo, also spoke on the occasion and suggested the students and youngsters to work hard to achieve greater heights in the future endeavours.
 “I as chairman of JKSDA and player am delighted to see these two sports personalities being honoured. In our part of the world these gestures are rare and nobody ever is about welfare of players,” he said.
 “JKSDA has come in existence with the aim to promote sports and work for the welfare of players. We are pure private organisation with no Government involvement or of any other agency. Our aim is to develop sports and we will do anything that will be in our hands to do that,” Wadoo said.
 In praise of Sajid and Tanveer he said, “They both deserve applause and encouragement. Sajid has reached pinnacle of coaching and has got many other achievements in his sights. Tanveer need encouragements and we promise him that we will always at his back”.
 After receiving the awards Sajid and Tanveer also spoke on the occasion and thanked JKSDA for felicitating them.
 “I dedicate this award to my family that has always supported me always. I belong to family of footballers so it knew the importance of my assignments and always allowed me to go. I am also thankful to JKSDA for honouring me,” Sajid said.
 “I have been given cheque of rupees 25000 and that is a huge amount. If JKSDA would have honoured me with only trophy and words that would have been enough. I am short of words, how to thank JKSDA,” Sajid added.
 Tanveer while thanking JKSDA said, “In absence of Government and Athletic association support, it is JKSDA and other organisations like it that have been supporting me. I am honoured and these types of gestures will motivate me to work harder”.
 Meanwhile JKSDA has announced the date of 2nd Kashmir Cycling Challenge that would be held on July 17. In the event competitions of Under-17 and open category would be held. For registration players can contact organising secretary Reyaz Wani on cell number: 9596519529.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 25 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 25 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 26 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST