Srinagar, Apr 24: The second phase of football tournament under the banner of Let’s Play football sponsored by Ministry of Youth affairs and Sports GOI for students and non-students both Boys and Girls for the age groups of 6-12, 13-16 and 17-19 under Khelo India scheme organised by Youth Services and Sports Department Srinagar is under way here in Srinagar at three venues since 02 days.
Speaking at one of the venues, Bashir Ahmad , Joint Director YSS Kashmir said that over all 48 teams from 8 Physical Education Zones of district Srinagar who were declared winners at Zone Level are participating in the tournament and 6 teams, 3 each from Boys and girls in identified age groups are representing respective Zones. He said , the tournament will last for 6 days, 3 days for Boys and 3 days for Girls which commenced from 23rd of April 2018. Separate venues have been put in place for different age groups, 6-12 age group of boys and girls shall be playing at Govt. Girls High School Rawalpora, similarly 13-17age group shall be playing at Gindun Groung at Rajbagh and 17-19 age group shall face each other in the competition at Polo Ground Srinagar, he added. He also informed that all the Boys and Girls have been provided uniforms, track suits and shoes to participate in the tournament and all necessary arrangements have been put in place at respective venues to conduct the tournament successfully.
He applauded the efforts of Youth Services and Sports Department , Srinagar for organising such event. He congratulated all the participating players in the tournament and said that before him every participant is a winner. He urged that every student should take one or the other sport and make every effort to excel in that. This will not only help them to be physically fit but mentally sound and alert too, he said. He urged officials to identify the talent among the students and provide them every support to chase their dream. He said sports is now a career and not a mere leisure time. He said modern infrastructure has been added to a number of schools in district Srinagar for promotion of sports and urged the students to make best use of these facilities so that they can participate at National and International tournaments and bring laurels to the State. He said that winners of this level shall be participating in the State level tournament which will be organised soon after the completion of this round in all the districts of the State.
8 matches were played on 2nd day under the age group 13-16 years , Rainawari defeated Hawal by 3-0 goals , Amirakadal defeated Eidgah by 1-0 goals in a tie breaker.
Similiarly under the age group 17-19 years Eidgah defeated Zaldagar by 1-0 goal in a tie breaker and Amirakadal defeated Nishat by 1-0 goals. All the winning teams have reached the finals which will be played on 25th of April 2018.
In the age group of 6-12 years, the matches which were played at GHS Rawalpora, Amirakadal defeated Hawal by a margin of 6-0 goals, Nishat won against Rainawari by 3-1 goals followed by Batamalloo who defeated Gulab bagh by 2-1 goals and Eidgah won against Zaldagar by 3-0 goals. It will be interesting to see who wins the final and qualifies for the next level of competition.