Night football brings Valley alive

M Aamir Khan

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 19

Local fans saw national football legend Bhaichung Bhutia and other top international footballers in action on Tuesday evening as the summer capital’s TRC Turf Ground witnessed its first-ever match under floodlights.

After the inauguration of floodlights, Kashmir XI took on India Stars in a nail-biting clash. The home team finally lost to the visitors 6-5 in a tie-breaker, leaving the local fans disappointed. But the game brought alive a city with almost no nightlife. Earlier, both the halves remained goal-less.

Besides Bhutia, Renedy Singh and others were part of the visitors’ side while Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Ishfaq Ahmed played for Kashmir XI. Both Wadoo and Ishfaq are professional players and have played for the national team as well.

Even as the exhibition match drew many to the ground, organisers are hopeful that the match will set the tone for night football in the Valley as they are planning to host such tournaments in future too.

“We have all seen the massive response to football matches that were played earlier at the TRC ground. And yesterday night, football lovers were excited to watch the first match under floodlights at the turf. Moreover, we got to see players like Bhutia, who have not only played for the national team but also for international clubs. We have plans of organising night football tournaments in the near future and this ground will see a lot of action in the coming days,” said Majid Yousuf Dar, J&K State Sports Council executive officer for football.