The 18th Police Martyrs Memorial Football Tournament organized by Jammu and Kashmir Police under its Civic Action Programme and in collaboration with J&K Football Association was declared open at Bakhshi Stadium, Srinagar by Director General of Police J&K Shri Dilbag Singh who was the chief guest at the inaugural function.
ADGP Armed J&K Shri SJM Gillani, ADGP Headquarters PHQ Shri M.K Sinha, ADGP Kashmir Shri Vijay Kumar, DIG CKR Shri Sujit Kumar, DIG Armed/ IR Kashmir Shri Shahid Mehraj, SSP Srinagar Shri Rakesh Balwal,AIsG of PHQ Kashmir based Commandants of JKAP/IRP battalions.
Chairman J&K Football Association Shri Wasim Aslam, General Secretary JKFA Shri B A Shah, Head Referee Association JKFA Shri Nazir Ahmad Bhat, Shri Nazir Ahmad Andrabi, President District football Association Srinagar Shri Bashir Ahmad Malik.
International players Shri Latief Bhat, Shri Shafi Nari and Shri Rafiq Makdoomi, Secretary DFA Srinagar Shri Showkat Masoodi, International Coach Shri Sajjad Yousuf Dar, members of JK Sports Council and other civil, police officers were present on the occasion.At the very outset two minute silence was observed to pay homage to the J&K Police martyrs.
Speaking on the occasion the DGP said that this championship is being organised in memory of those bravehearts of J&K Police who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, for the integrity & sovereignty of the nation.
“Martyrs never die, they are immortal”, the DGP said, adding that remembering the martyrdom of our personnel is important for the department as well as for the people and organizing different sports activities are aimed to pay our tributes to them. He said that J&K Police Parivar always stands with the families of martyrs and is running different welfare schemes for their assistance.
The DGP expressed his happiness on witnessing the enthusiasm and energy of the teams participating as well as of the large number of gathering which includes young children who have come from different areas to witness the football tournament despite cold.
He said that football is very famous in Kashmir and this game is witnessing an increase of its followers each passing year. “I am overwhelmed to see that the number of participating teams in the championship has reached to 40”, he said, adding that participating teams are from different areas of J&K that is an achievement in itself.
Referring to the Kathua Martyrs T-20 Cricket Tournament, the DGP hoped that in the next year football teams from other States/UTs would participate in the championship adding that playing with different teams will enhance the quality of football here.The DGP then distributed kits including 200 footballs on the occasion.
Speaking to the media the DGP said that the event is being organised to pay tributes to our martyrs. He said that Jammu and Kashmir Police is organizing a number of tournaments and events throughout the year in order to provide platforms to the youth of J&K adding that these programmes bridge the gap between the department, youth & people and also spreads a message of peace in the society.
Referring to the threat letters being issued, the DGP said that the level of some people have stooped so low that they have nothing to do and now they are trying to damage the spirit of harmony and brotherhood of the people of J&K.
Referring to the drug trade, the DGP said that stringent action has already been taken against all those involved in drug trade for the greater good of the society. He said that the challenge of drugs will be faced as strongly as the challenge of terrorism is being faced, adding that people of J&K have to continue their support against the drug menace.
In his welcome address the ADGP Armed J&K Shri SJM Gillani thanked the DGP for gracing the occasion and briefed about the fixtures and participation of teams in the tournament. He also thanked the players, spectators, media persons, and the people for making the event a success.
In the afternoon the DGP J&K chaired an officers meeting at PCR Kashmir to review the security scenario of Valley. The meeting was attended by ADG CRPF Shri DS Choudhary, IGP CRPF Srinagar Ops Sector Ms Charu Sinha, ADG Kashmir Zone Shri Vijay Kumar, DIG CKR Shri Sujit Kumar, SSP Srinagar Shri Rakesh Balwal, SSP Budgam Shri Tahir Salim Khan and SSP Ganderbal Shri Nikhil Borkar.
The officers briefed the DGP J&K regarding the security scenario and measures taken in their respective jurisdictions.