Pampore: Table Soccer, a table top based game, had been introduced in Kashmir on Saturday with South Kashmir’s Pampore Saffron town getting the valley’s first ever table. The table was launched during an introductory seminar about the game held at Town hall Pampore.
The Table Soccer involves a table on which rods are mounted and the ball is moved into the opponent’s goal by manipulating the rods which have figures attached to it.
The seminar was organized by J&K Table Soccer Association with Additional Deputy Commissioner Awantipora Zaffar Husson Shawl chairing it.
India Table Soccer Association General Secretary Manoj Sehni, Naib Tehsildar Pampore Mohammad Ameen Najar, Fallah Behbood Committee Chief Organiser Mir Murawat Hussain, Police Inspector Pampore, Adil Ashraf, Spectrum Advertising services head Gowhar Bhat, Sqay Federation general Secretary Nazir Ahmad Mir, Zonal sports officer Pampore, Civil society members Gauhar Akhoon and a number of sports lovers including Wamiq Hayat were present on the occasion.
While lauding the organizers for introducing the game in the valley, Additional Deputy Commissioner Awantipora Zaffar Husson Shawl highlighted the importance of sports in shaping up the future of youth.
” I am very happy that a new game has been introduced in Saffron town Pampore and hopefully Table Soccer will reach to every part of the valley. It is important we provide extracurricular opportunities to our youth besides their academics because by involving them in sports it helps in keeping them away from bad activities,” Shawl said.
India Table Soccer Association General Secretary Manoj Sehni while giving a description of the game said his association was ready to help aspiring players in whatever way they can. ” I am obviously happy that we have launched Table Soccer in the valley. This is an indoor game which can also be played outdoors. The game is being supervised and managed by the School Federation of India. We hope we are able to make inroads in the valley and provide talented players opportunities to excel at all levels,” Sehni said.
On the occasion, office bearers of J&K Table Soccer Association were elected with Ishtiyaq Mohi-ud-Din (KAS) getting the chairman post and Inam ul Maqbool (KAS) appointed as general Secretary.
Mudasir Ahmad Sofi was elected Founder/Treasurer and Zahid Shafi as vice Chairman of the association.

BILAL HABIB