30 students to be selected in first phase
SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: In a significant development, administration is finalizing draft for setting up a Football Residential Academy in Srinagar. It was stated by the Advisor to LG, Farooq Khan during a grand function organised by the State Sports Council at TRC Astro Turf Football ground in Srinagar on National Sports Day.
While speaking on the inaugural function, Farooq Khan said from ancient times Kashmir is the best place for all kind of sports activities especially Football, and in modern times Kashmiris are witnessing kind of sporting activities, which they had never experienced in their life, said Farooq Khan, adding that establishment of the Football Residential Academy, all facilities including education will be provided to all the selected children. He further revealed initially students of class VII would be called for selection process and intake capacity would be 30. “Numerous times in past, these programmes remained unsuccessful as parents were worried for education of their children and were of the opinion that is they participate in sports, their education would be disturbed. Now, the administration is moving forward with a concrete plan and building a road map besides taking on board some good and famous schools of Srinagar, so that education of the selected students may not suffer,” he asserted. The Advisor further announced that Residential Hockey and Cricket Academies would be set up in Jammu in coming days, on pattern of Residential Football Academy in Srinagar. Selection and other processes would be also same in Jammu with selection 30 children for each institute, he added.
Meanwhile, tributes were paid to Hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand across Kashmir Division on his birth anniversary, which is also celebrated as National Sports Day. State Sports Council hosted a series of sports activities including matches of Hockey & football at different venues to pay tributes to Major Dhyan Chand on his 116th birth anniversary. Advisor to LG Farooq Khan further stressed upon cultivating National character & moral values among youth and players through sports and congratulated State Sports Council for organizing events across Jammu and Kashmir
While delivering welcome address, Secretary J &K Sports Council Nuzhat Gul thanked Jammu and Kashmir administration for its supportive approach, particularly the cooperation of LG Manoj Sinha. She further highlighted importance of Sports Day and advised youth to strive hard for achieving their goals.