67th Santosh Trophy: Jammu&Kashmir name final 20 players squad

The Jammu&Kashmir Football Association has named their final 20 players squad for the 67th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy which is being played from February 1 to March 3 in Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.

The kit of the Jammu&Kashmir state team is this year being sponsored by Jammu&Kashmir Bank, a first for the state's football team.

Jammu&Kashmir have been drawn in Cluster C alongside Assam, Andaman&Nicobar and Rajasthan with the matches to be played in Uttar Pradesh from February 2 onwards.


JAMMU&KASHMIR

Vikramjit Singh (Captain, J&K Bank), Aman Thapa (J&K Bank), Wasim Feroz (J&K Bank), Rohit Kumar (J&K Bank), Khalid Qayoom (J&K Bank), Shahnaz Iqbal (J&K Bank), Zubair (J&K Bank), Aiman (J&K Bank), Rizwan Sheikh (J&K Bank), Nusrat Kamal (J&K Bank), Umer Jan (J&K Bank), Jamsheed Ahmad (J&K Bank), Asif Majid (J&K Police), Ajay Kumar (J&K Police), Yaseen (J&K Police), Faisal Ahmad (Food&Supplies), Altaf Ahmad (Food&Supplies), Amir Farooq (Power Development Corporation), Javeed Hussain (Maharaja Sports), Dhanjay Sharama (Vijay Club, Jammu)

Officials
Satpal Singh (Coach), Karan Nayyar (Physio), Zahoor Ahmad Teli (Manager)

J&K XI beat Mohammedan Sporting in historic match on penalties

It was a historic match for the whole state of Jammu&Kashmir as for the first-time in over 25 years a big club of the stature of Kolkata giants Mohammedan Sporting Club played against a Jammu&Kashmir XI at the Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar infront of more than 30,000 spectators.

The Jammu&Kashmir XI won 4-1 on penalties after the match had ended in a one-all draw. Mohammedan Sporting had the better start into the game, but once J&K XI captain Mehrajuddin Wadoo got his defensive unit organised the team had better control of the game. After missing a couple of chances Ishfaq Ahmed gave J&K a 34th minute lead as he beat the Sporting defenders and goalkeeper Arnab Das Sharma to put the ball into the net. The crowd erupted with joy!

After the break play was once more even with Mohammedan Sporting getting a penalty on the hour mark as J&K keeper Vikramjeet Singh brought down striker David Sunday. Experienced Jayanta Sen put the ball in to equalise and with no more goals scored the match went into a penalties shootout.

And the earlier culprit Vikramjeet Singh turned the hero in the shootout as he saved two penalties and it was captain Mehrajuddin Wadoo, who put in the final penalty for his team for J&K XI to win 4-1 on penalties with celebrations all around the stadium, even J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah joined in.

A second game between these two sides was originally to be played in Leh on July 18 and then Baramulla was named as a potential alternative, but it was finally cancelled due to logistical reasons, but still this match in Srinagar will have given football a great push in the Valley.

Mehraj & Ishfaq to spearhead J&K XI in ties vs Md Sporting

Jammu&Kashmir rarely in recent years has seen their best footballers - Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Ishfaq Ahmed - in action. In the coming days they will get the chance to do that twice as the duo will be in action for a Jammu&Kashmir XI against Kolkata giants Mohammedan Sporting Club on July 15 and 17.

For the football fans in Srinagar and Baramulla it will be a chance to catch some quality football, while the beautiful game is also spread across the Valley.

The series of matches is an initiative to promote football in the Valley and it has come from a surprising quarter, the central government. Initially the so-called 'National Club of India' Mohun Bagan AC were asked to travel to Kashmir, but after they declined as the matches didn't fit into their pre-season plans Mohammedan Sporting was asked and they readily agreed to travel as they thought these matches would be ideal for their preparations.

The Jammu&Kashmir Football Association has named 23 players in an initial list and will cut it down to 20 which will then play Mohammedan Sporting Club, who also have their fans in Jammu&Kashmir who will get a rare glimpse of the Kolkata giants.


Jammu&Kashmir XI

Goalkeepers
Vikramjeet Singh (J&K Bank), Reyaz Ahmad (J&K Police)

Defenders
Waseem Feroze (J&K Bank), Aman Thapa (J&K Bank), Mansoor (J&K Forest), Azhar (J&K Forest), Ramesh (J&K Police), Muhammad Yaseen (J&K Police), Kanwaljeet (Mumbai FC), Vinay Kumar (J&K Police)

Midfielders
Mehrajuddin Wadoo (Mohun Bagan AC), Rohit Kumar (J&K Bank), Khalid Qayoonm (J&K Bank), Rizwamn Shafi (J&K Forest), Sameer Hussain (J&K Forest), Asif Majeed (J&K Police), Sandeep (J&K Police), Shahnawaz (AG Office)

Strikers
Ishfaq Ahmed (East Bengal Club), Imran Manzoor Wangnoo (J&K Forest), Taufeeq (J&K Forest),Shahid Mushtaq (J&K Forest), Irfan (JKPDC)

Officials
Abdul Majeed Kakroo (Coach), Bashir Ahmad Malik (Manager), Dr. Ashiqui (Physio)

66th Santosh Trophy: Jammu&Kashmir name final squad

The Jammu&Kashmir Football Association has named their final 20 players squad for the 66th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy which will be played from May 11 to 27 across Orissa. The JKFA had held trials and then a probables camp to select their state team.

Mansoor Yousuf of Jammu&Kashmir Forest has been named as the team captain with Asif Majeed as his deputy.

Ranjit Singh has been appointed by the JKFA as the coach of the J&K state team, who have been drawn in the preliminary round Cluster IV along with Arunachal Pradesh and Maharashtra playing their matches on May 13 (vs Arunachal Pradesh) and May 15 (vs Maharashtra).


JAMMU&KASHMIR

Players
Reyaz Ahmad (JK Police), Arshid Ali (JK Forest), Wasim Feroz (JK Bank), Aman Thapa (JK Bank), Khalid Umer (JK Forest), Rohit Kumar (JK Bank), Khalid Qayoom (JK Bank), Yaseen Ahmad (JK Police), Ashique Ahmad (JK Police), Vinay Kumar (JK Police), Asif Majeed (JK Police), Sandeep Sharma (JK Police), Aiman Rashid (JK Bank), Azhar Ali (JK Forest), Mansoor Yousuf (JK Forest), Waseem Yousuf (JK Forest), Rizwaan Shafi (JK Forest), Asif Qadir (Maharaja Sports), Irfan Ahmad (JKPDC), Umer Jan (JK Bank)

Officials
Ranjit Singh (Coach), Muhammad Shafi Nari (Manager), Ashiq Hussain (Physiotherapist)

66th Santosh Trophy: J&K name 60 probables

The Jammu&Kashmir Football Association has invited a total of 60 probables for the selection trials of the Jammu&Kashmir state team for the 66th edition of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy will be played from May 11 to 27 across Orissa.

The 60 players have been asked to report at the Polo Ground in Srinagar tomorrow at 9.00 am with the trials set to continue until Monday, April 23. Those selected from the trials would be having a 15 day preparatory camp ahead of travelling to Orissa.

The JKFA have appointed Ranjit Singh, the JK Police coach, as the state coach while Muhammad Shafi Nari has been appointed as manager and Ashiq Hussain as physiotherapist.

The 60 trialists have been come from across the state. 14 players are from Forest XI, nine players are from Jammu&Kashmir Bank, eight are from JKPDC, six are from JK Police, four each from Food & Supplies, Iqbal Sports and Maharaja Sports, two from AG Office while seven have been invited from Jammu.

Jammu&Kashmir have been drawn in the preliminary round Cluster V along with Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh playing their matches on May 13 (vs Arunachal Pradesh), and May 15 (vs Maharashtra).

J&K Bank set to host All-India Gold Cup in the Valley

The Jammu&Kashmir Bank is set to organise the inaugural All-India Invitational Gold Cup Football tournament over the summer with the organisers set to get necessary clearance from the Jammu&Kashmir Football Association and the All India Football Federation.

This would be needed then the tournament would see 10 to 12 teams from across the valley and six top national sides from across India in action. The dates would be finalised once the necessary clearances and slot in the calendar have been received.

"The chairman and chief executive officer of the bank, Mushtaq Ahmad, gave his approval yesterday for conducting the tournament. Following the approval, we shall be working out necessary details, and raising necessary infrastructure for smooth conduct of this historic maiden tournament," the spokesman said.

J&K Bank have been promising football and other sports in the valley. Their football side is one of the top teams in the state and with the tournament they want to give football in Kashmir national exposure with local players showing their talent to clubs from across the country.

J&K Footballers get state award

Two footballers - Arun Malhotra and Mehrajuddin Wadoo - were amongst the recipients of the Jammu&Kashmir State awards which where presented on May 14 to 71 people from all walks of life for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

The awards were handed over by the Governor N. N. Vohra, while the J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was Chief Guest and his Deputy Tara Chand the Guest of Honour on the occasion.

It is a big honour for Indian international midfielder Mehrajuddin Wadoo and former international defender Arun Malhotra, who both where present for the occasion.

Arun Malhotra said about receiving the award, "This is the highest honour of Jammu&Kashmir and when you get recognition from your state it is always appreciated. I am honoured and it means a lot to me."

But the former East Bengal and Mahindra United player, "Sadly our state government is lacking to recognise outstanding sports personalities who have have done our state proud. There is a lot of work which we put into our sport and therefore I especially would like to thank all those people, who have helped and supported me in my career."

The same can be said about Mehrajuddin Wadoo, who not only plays football but tries to give back to the society and to the beautiful game.

A belated congratulation from me to Arun & Mehraj!!!

Mehrajuddin Wadoo gets 2011 Lion Award

Indian international footballer Mehrajuddin Wadoo, who is part of the squad for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, has been named as the winner of the 2011 Lion Award by the Jammu and Kashmir chapter of All India Boys Scouts. It is a big honour for the 26 year old Srinagar born Kashmiri footballer, who plays for Kolkata giants East Bengal Club in the Indian football circuit.

The executive committee of J&K Scouts and Guides Association, an affiliate of All India Boys Scouts, said Wadoo brought "international prestige" to the sports fraternity of the state.

"The news of Wadoo's selection in the Indian squad for Asian Cup has made the Jammu and Kashmir state proud. All India Boys Scouts, J&K Chapter, has decided to honour Wadoo with 2011 Lion award for his contribution to football," the Association said in a statement.

It is another feather in the cap for Mehraj, who amongst other things has founded the 'Football Players Welfare Association' in Jammu&Kashmir on the lines of the Football Players Association of India to support former footballers and enable talented youngsters to take-up football as a profession.

Talking about the award Mehraj said, "As far as the award is concerned its an honour to receive any award! I have also been nominated for a state award as the best sports person of 2008 in Jammu&Kashmir and was supposed to collect it on July 14, 2010; but due to the problems in Kashmir the state government hasn't been able to organise an award ceremony."

Now Mehraj will at least have two award ceremonies to attend when he comes back from Qatar after the Asian Cup.

My heartiest congratulations to Mehraj!!!