Jammu: The 18th Police Martyrs Memorial Football Tournament organized by Jammu and Kashmir Police under its Civic Action Programme and in collaboration with J&K Football Association was declared open at Bakhshi Stadium, Srinagar by Director General of Police J&K Dilbag Singh who was the chief guest at the inaugural function.
At the very outset two minute silence was observed to pay homage to the J&K Police martyrs.
Speaking on the occasion the DGP said that this championship is being organised in memory of those bravehearts of J&K Police who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, for the integrity & sovereignty of the nation.
“Martyrs never die, they are immortal”, the DGP said, adding that remembering the martyrdom of our personnel is important for the department as well as for the people and organizing different sports activities are aimed to pay our tributes to them.
He said that J&K Police Parivar always stands with the families of martyrs and is running different welfare schemes for their assistance.
The DGP expressed his happiness on witnessing the enthusiasm and energy of the teams participating as well as of the large number of gathering which includes young children who have come from different areas to witness the football tournament despite cold.
He said that football is very famous in Kashmir and this game is witnessing an increase of its followers each passing year.
“I am overwhelmed to see that the number of participating teams in the championship has reached to 40”, he said, adding that participating teams are from different areas of J&K that is an achievement in itself.
Referring to the Kathua Martyrs T-20 Cricket Tournament, the DGP hoped that in the next year football teams from other States/UTs would participate in the championship adding that playing with different teams will enhance the quality of football here.
The DGP then distributed kits including 200 footballs on the occasion.
Speaking to the media the DGP said that the event is being organised to pay tributes to our martyrs.
He said that Jammu and Kashmir Police is organizing a number of tournaments and events throughout the year in order to provide platforms to the youth of J&K adding that these programmes bridge the gap between the department, youth & people and also spreads a message of peace in the society. Referring to the threat letters being issued, the DGP said that the level of some people have stooped so low that they have nothing to do and now they are trying to damage the spirit of harmony and brotherhood of the people of J&K.
In his welcome address the ADGP Armed J&K SJM Gillani thanked the DGP for gracing the occasion and briefed about the fixtures and participation of teams in the tournament. He also thanked the players, spectators, media persons, and the people for making the event a success.
ADGP Armed J&K SJM Gillani, ADGP Headquarters PHQ M.K Sinha, ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar, DIG CKR Sujit Kumar, DIG Armed/ IR Kashmir Shahid Mehraj, SSP Srinagar Rakesh Balwal, AIsG of PHQ Kashmir based Commandants of JKAP/IRP battalions,Chairman J&K Football Association Wasim Aslam, General Secretary JKFA B A Shah, Head Referee Association JKFA Nazir Ahmad Bhat, Nazir Ahmad Andrabi, President District football Association Srinagar Bashir Ahmad Malik, International players Latief Bhat, Shafi Nari and Rafiq Makdoomi, Secretary DFA Srinagar Showkat Masoodi, International Coach Sajjad Yousuf Dar, members of JK Sports Council and other civil, police officers were present on the occasion.

KR Desk