Minister for Forests, Environment and Ecology, Ch Lal Singh today inaugurated 1st Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Memorial Gold Cup State League Football Tournament at Kathua Stadium.Top football Clubs of Jammu, Kathua, Hiranagar, Billawar and Basohli are taking part in the tournament, which is being held under the banner of Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) and is sponsored by J&K State Sports Council.Speaking on the occasion, Lal Singh said former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was a visionary leader and had great expectations from the youth of the state. By organizing the football tournament in the name of late Mufti Sahab, the organizers have done a commendable job. By this initiative, the younger generation especially the sportspersons would also come to know about the contribution of our former Chief Minister, Lal Singh added.Underscoring the endeavours of present dispensation in providing sports infrastructure along the length and breadth of state, Lal Singh said that 200 kanals of land has been acquired in Basohli for creating world class sporting facilities for the budding sport persons near Ranjit Sagar Lake.
He also stated that the government has undertaken several measures for catalyzing the sports activities and in this regard several national and international tournaments have been organized whereby our youth get an opportunity to compete with other players and get the requisite exposure to excel at various fora.The Minister assured the organizers that every possible help will be provided to the budding players who want to create niche for themselves in the field sports.The tournament, in which thirty teams are participating, is being played on league basis. The opening match was played between Shaheen Football Club, Jammu and Jammu United Football Club.Large number of sports lovers and prominent citizens witnessed the opening match.President JKFA, Z A Thakur, District President DFA Jammu, Sheikh Mehmood, District President DFA Srinagar, Fayaz Ahmad Sofi, various HoDs of forest Department, DFOs, DYSSO, DySP DAR & BDO Nagri were present on the occasion.