Advisor to Governor, K Vijay Kumar on Monday inaugurated 73rd edition of Santosh Trophy north zone qualifier at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Complex here.
The tournament is being organized by J&K Football Association under the aegis of All India Football Federation and is supported by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, J&K State Sports Council and J&K Bank Ltd.
CEO Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board,Simrandeep Singh, Secretary Youth Services and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez, DIG Udhampur-Reasi range M Suleman Choudhary, SSP Reasi Nisha Nathyal, Secretary JK Sports Council Naseem Choudhary, President J&K Football Association and other concerned persons were present at the inaugural ceremony.
The 73rd edition of the football championship for north zone qualifiers will be played from February 11 to 16.
A total of 12 matches are to be played on single leg format and two matches have been scheduled daily in the championship.
Eight teams from north India including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand and host Jammu & Kashmir will be competing in the championship.
On the occasion, Advisor Kumar appreciated the efforts of J&K Football Association in organizing the event and also thanked AIFF, SMVDSB, J&K Sports Council and J&K Bank for their support.
J&K is hosting this event for the fourth time. Similarly, the ongoing I-League matches have also been organized in Srinagar.