Srinagar, April 6: In a major development , well known National level football club of J&K, Lone Star Kashmir FC has roped in known face of Kashmir football , Mohammad Shafi Nari as its manager .
This was revealed by , club in a statement issued on its official Facebook page. Nari is reckoned as first International footballer of J&K.
“Introducing our New Manager of Lonestar Kashmir Football Club , Mohammad Shafi Nari.He is 1st International player from Jammu & Kashmir. Nari Played for Indian National Junior Team at Tehran Iran 1977-78. He started his football career in the year 1970 from Court Road Club and then moved on to Young Lal Chowk Club,” Club statement said.
“In 1974 Nari joined J&K SRTC and in 1977 he reached his prime as he got selected for Indian Junior National Team for playing in Tehran, with other Top players like Bhaskar Ganguly, Naeemuddin, Bashir Ahmad Beigh and many other legends of India,” statement said.
“In 1982 he joined J&K police team with other top players of that time from SRTC like Ab. Majeed Kakroo, Mohammed Hussain, Nazir Ahmad Bhat, Mohammad Lateef,” statement went on read.
As per statement Nari retired from active football in 1993 and since then has been associated with various teams as coach and manager .
“He retired from football in 1993 but the department of Police, for his success and achievements, appointed him as the Coach of J&K Police Team till 2001,” statement read.
Statement said that Nari has record of representing J&K in 17 Santosh Trophy tournaments .
“Nari has played the most number of Santosh Trophies, playing 17 times from J&K State. This is a record from this International player. After J&K Police, he provided his services, from 2002 to present, for Kashmir Maharaja Sports/Young Lalchowk without any salary or any self benefits. He is an AFC-C license coach. He gave his service to develop football from grassroot. He trained those boys with little knowledge of football. Hundreds of football players received his guidance and joined top teams of state in these 18 years,” Lone Star statement said.
“He is a practical coach knowing how to play football and teaching it to others,” he added.