Martyrs' football tournament concludes in Kashmir

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 31 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir martyr's football tournament, which was organized by the local police in collaboration with state football association, concluded here on Tuesday.
The tournament is organized every year in the valley which gives the youngsters an opportunity to showcase their football skills.
Reflecting on the importance of the event organizer of the tournament Inspector General Shafaqat Watali said that it is a very big event for the J&K police and they aim at promoting healthy activities among the youngsters.
"Martyr's football tournament is a very big event for the J&K police and it is a part of our initiative to encourage sports in the valley," Watali said.
"We organise the event every year. Kashmir has a history of football and we should give importance to that. We try to make the youngsters participate in these events and promote healthy activities," he added.
Players participating in the event believe that such tournaments help them to stay away from the social evils like drug addiction, smoking etc. and give them the platform to hone their football skills.
Mujeeb Wani, one of the players participating in the tournament, expressed gratitude towards the local police and hoped that they would continue to organize such tournaments in the future as well.
"I am very thankful to the J&K police for organizing the event. These events hold significance as the opportunities are very few in the region. I wish they continue to organize such tournaments," Wani said.
"In Kashmir, football is famous and almost every kid plays the game but we don't get the required infrastructure. Players are getting grooved. Only if we get the opportunity to play, then we will be able to compete at bigger levels," he added.
Twenty-two teams including Jammu and Kashmir police, J&K Bank, Forest, Power Development Corporation, State Road Transport Corporation and Food and Supplies Department, participated in the 10-day event which began on 20th July. (ANI)