SRINAGAR: The Industrial Invitation Football Cup jointly organised by Industrial Association Sopore and J&K Sports Council has commenced in North Kashmir’s Apple Town, Sopore.
The Football cup is witnessing a huge turnout of players and spectators creating a huge impact in attracting youngsters to football.
Bashir Ahmad Bhat, Joint Secretary J&K Sports Council presided over the function as chief guest.
The tournament started on the 23rd of July and five matches are played daily on two grounds of the town viz. Subhana Stadium Higher Secondary ground hosts two matches while Khushal Stadium, Sopore hosts three games every day, of which one match is played under floodlights daily.
Speaking on the occasion, Bashir Ahmad Bhat Joint Secretary J&K Sports Council applauded the Industrial Association Sopore for stepping forward and organising the tournament. He assured participating teams of all support by way of organising coaching camps for their budding players in the town itself.
The industrial organising body for the invitation cup comprises a sports enthusiasts team headed by their patron Javeed Ahmad Bhat who has played a vital role in conceiving the idea for the cup.
Javeed Ahmad Bhat while speaking on the occasion expressed gratitude to the Sports Council officers especially Secretary Sports council Nuzhat Gull for making historical things possible for youth.
The Sopore Civil Society thanked Lt. Governor J&K for building sports infrastructure and passing directions of community involvement in sports. They also thanked JKSC for the tie-up with the Industrial Association to make the tournament a great success.
The organisers also briefed that the 48 best football teams of J&K including J&K bank are part of the tourney.
Among the matches played yesterday at college ground Ist was played between FC Sopore and Hamdan FC and the former won the match with the scoreboard reading 3-0. The 2nd match was played between Khushal FC and Friends FC in which Khushal FC emerged as the winner by a margin of 2 goals to nil. Aamir was adjudged as Man of the match.
At Khushal stadium Ist match was played between Eetihat FC and Wular FC in which both the teams played very aggressive football but in the end, the Etihat FC won the match by 1-0 and Sahil was awarded Man of the match. In the 2nd game between Iqra FC vs SCFA Baramulla, the young guns of SCFA gave a tough fight to the opponent but it was IQRA FC who won the match with a scoreline of 1-0, Waseem Lateef was awarded man of the match.
In the last match of the day played between IQBAL FC and EIDGAH FC, both the teams played exceptionally well but in the end, IQBAL FC prevailed over their opponents in a tie-breaker by 3-2 and Aamir of Iqbal FC was awarded man of the match.
