Srinagar: Two talented young footballer’s of valley Basit Ahmed, Asrar Rehbar have been selected by CRPF for playing in third division Spanish La Liga.
The CRPF also has the policy of encouraging sports in its areas of deployment. In this direction, the Ops Kashmir Sector of CRPF partnered with Football Next Foundation to identify and encourage the best talent in the sport in Kashmir valley. A tie-up was made with Sociedad Deportiva Lenense, Proinastur club (A 3rd division professional club from the famous Spanish La Liga, which is the national football league in Spain). The club agreed to take on contract a player for the position of Central Forward and Right winger for the coming 2017 January window.
It will be first time that any Indian player will be seen playing for a Spanish La Liga club. The Ops Kashmir Sector, CRPF was given the responsibility of identifying this talented player. A three-member selection committee was formed to conduct trials for this selection, consisting of Anit Ghosh, Ishfaq Ahmed and Hilal Rasool Parray.
Anit Ghosh is a product of the Tata Football Academy, Jamshedpur and has been a member of the Indian football team from 1994 to 1999. In a professional career spanning from 1994 to 2012, he has played in various national and international tournaments. He has represented India sub juniors in Iran and South Korea in 1994, Asian Games, Bangkok-1998, has captained East Bengal, and has played for famous teams like Mohun Bagan, Mohameddan Sporting Club, Kolkata, Churchil Brothers, Goa etc. He is a reputed coach and has trained in countries like Germany, Holland, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia. Mr. Ishfaq Ahmed is a famous professional footballer presently with Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League. Starting his career in 2002, he has played for Dempo, Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar and East Bengal. He also scored a goal in his debut international appearance against Turkmenistan in the U-23 tournament. Mr. Hilal Rasool Parray is a reputed coach from Kashmir. He is an Asian Football Confederation Pro-License Diploma Holder, and is the first and only coach from North India amongst 08 such Indian coaches. He has played in various tournaments like Santosh Trophy (1999 & 2002), Federation Cup(1997, 98),Durand Cup (2001), and attended various seminars and workshops relating to football coaching.
Based on the results of the trials, we are proud to announce the selection of Basit Ahmed for Centre Forward and Mohammed Asrar Rehbar for Winger.