Minister for Information Technology, Technical Education, Youth Services and Sports Moulvi Imran Raza Ansari Saturday inaugurated Super Premier Division Football league at Astro Turf, Polo View Srinagar in which best football teams of civil and Government departments are participating. These include Lone Star, JK Bank, JK Police, Arfaat Sports, Iqbal Sports, Maharaja Sports, Food and Supplies, JK SRTC and Forest Eleven.The Director General, Youth Services and Sports, Mr. Jehangir Mir and Political Analyst to Chief Minister Mr. Waheed-ur-Rehman Para were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the efforts are underway to promote sports activities in a big way in the State adding that football had glittering past which will be revived with concerted efforts by the Youth Services and Sports department. He said many initiatives have been taken to rebuild the sports infrastructure in the State which suffered a huge loss due to floods. He said he had already met Union Minister for Sports with the concrete proposals for rebuilding the sports infrastructure in the State and had received good response from them adding that Director General Sports is also visiting Secretary Union Ministry of Sports in the next week for follow up.
The Minister announced Rs 30 lakh for development of playfield at Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) Srinagar and another Rs 30 lakh for construction of Pavilion and developing sanitation and drinking water facilities at Astro Truf, Polo View. Calling upon the players to play the tournament in friendly manner and show their talent to achieve the trophy. He said sports has its own world, system and DNA and has nothing to do with politics. He appealed sports lovers to come and enjoy the game.Earlier, the Minister interacted with the participant players.A cultural programme was also presented on the occasion.Among others, President JK football Association, Mr. Zameer Ahmad Thakar, Vice President, JK Football Association and other dignitaries and a good number of sport lovers were present on the occasion.