Minister for Information Technology, Technical Education, Youth Services and Sports, Imran Raza Ansari felicitated winners of Mufti Mohammad Gold Cup league phase-1 and also declared 2nd phase of the tournament open at GGM Science College here today.The Shaheen Club lifted the tournament by winning with shoot penalty in the final match played between Jammu United and Shaheen Club. A total of 16 teams from Jammu division participated in the first phase of the football tourney which is being organized by J&K Football Association sponsored by J&K State Sports Council. The remaining matches of 2nd phase of the tournament will be played at the respective districts of Jammu division.The Minister was accompanied by the DGP, Dr S.P Vaid, Commissioner Secretary YSS, Hilal Ahmad Parrey, Secretary Sports Council, Waheed ur Rehman Parra, Director YSS, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad, IGP Jammu, S.D Singh, President JKFA, Zameer Ahmad Thakur and other Senior officers were present on the occasion.On the occasion, the Minister said that late Mufti Mohammad Syed was a visionary personality who worked to connect people, regions and hearts of the people and constantly tried to involve the youth in development works of the state.
“During his tenure he was keen to develop the sports infrastructure in the state and to connect maximum youth participation in sports activities,” he added.However, the Minister said that the government is trying to channelize youth energy in a proper way by involving them in sports activities. “By organizing such tournaments at the grass root level, football lovers will get a platform and youths can be motivated and their talents will get an exposure,” he added.While speaking on the ocassion, S.P Vaid, said that it has been our endeavor to hone the inner potential of youth of the state in a positive way and are finding better ways for their involvement in sports related activities. He also said that police department is tirelessly working to keep the youth of the state away from drug menace and other social evils.“Next year Police Department is going to organize the football tournament in Jammu province on the pattern of Mushtaq Memorial Football tournament which is being held every year in Kashmir Province,” he added.Later, Minister felicitated the winners of the tournament and also distributed the sports equipments among the players.