Football tournament witnesses poor participation of local clubs

Vikas Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 8

The ongoing first Pandit Prem Nath Dogra Memorial Football Tournament, being organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at Mini-Stadium Parade Ground in the memory of Sher-e-Duggar, has a meagre participation of local football clubs. The clubs which are not participating in the tournament alleged that the party was conducting the tournament by violating the norms.

Sources claimed that the BJP decided to organise the tournament on the pattern of the Sher-e-Kashmir Football Tournament, which had been an annual feature for the past several years. The tournament was organised to commemorate the memory of National Conference (NC) leader Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.

The sources added that main local football clubs, like NGR, Vijay Club, Young Star, Young Heroes, Churchill Brothers, J&K Bank, etc, which are a regular participants in the other football tournaments, including the Sher-e-Kashmir, were not competing in the tournament.

Surinder Singh Bunty, vice-president, Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA), said, “The permission of the association in writing for any club/organisation is mandatory to conduct a tournament. Only then the stadium/playfield is allotted by the J&K State Sports Council. The written permission can be given only by the JKFA vice-president or district president. No other office-bearer is authorised to give the mandatory permission.”

“But this tournament is unique, wherein without authentic confirmation, the tournament is being played, which has also been boycotted by the referees association. They are of the view that the tournament is being conducted without prior approval of the football body,” Bunty said.

Meanwhile, Rakesh Khanna, organiser of the tournament, said, “The tournament is being organised under the rules. In fact, the banners which are placed in and around the venue clearly show that the tournament is being played under the auspices of the JKFA. In fact, we have already deposited the fee for organising the tournament.”

“The tournament is being organised to promote the game and we have witnessed a fierce competition between the participating teams which is a treat to watch for football lovers,” he maintained.