Amid cheers of crowd, Srinagar witnessed star football players of the country playing an exhibition match J&K’s first under floodlights between Indian Stars XI and JK Stars XI at AstroTurf Football ground, TRC Srinagar.
According to an official spokesperson, former India playersBhaichungBhutia, Renedy Singh and MehrajuddinWadoo featured during the match asJammu & Kashmir got its first floodlit football ground.
“This is a moment of joy for all of us,” said the localplayers. “We want government to create more such facilities so that youth haveoptions to display their sporting talent,” they said.
Advisors to the Governor, K Vijay Kumar, KK Sharma, KhurshidAhmad Ganai, Skandan Kumar and Chief Secretary, BVR Subramanyam inaugurated andunveiled the first ever floodlight facility at the AstroTurf ground at TRC,Srinagar.
The Advisors were accompanied by Deputy Commissioner,Srinagar, ShahidIqbalChoudhary, Secretary Sports Council, NaseemJavidChoudhary,Director General, Youth Services and Sports, Saleem Ur Rehman, SSP Srinagar,HaseebMugal, and other senior civil and Police officers.
All the advisors interacted with the young students, sportsenthusiasts and nationally repute footballers—urging them to play their role inbringing back the momentum of sports across the State.
K Vijay Kumar urged youth of Jammu and Kashmir to acquireeducation and participate in sports to ensure proper development of theirpersona. He said that youth and the sporting talents of the state should takethe benefit of the opportunity being provided to them by the government.
Advisor to Governor, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai inaugurated othersports facilities including modern dressing room and State Football Academyoffice complex.
Besides honouring State Football Academy under 13 and under15 players, graduation certificate of State Football Academy under, 18 and boysteams were awarded by Advisor Skandhan and chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam.
The event concluded with power-pact, thrilling, footballmatch between India Stars XI and JK Stars XI—who were honored in pre-matchceremony by Advisors Chief Secretary.
The 15,000-capacity stadium was developed in 2014 and hasbeen the home ground for both the clubs from the city – Real Kashmir FC andLoneStar Kashmir. While Real Kashmir plays in the I-League, LoneStar are in the2nd Division I-League.