Srinagar, Sept 20: State Football Academy of J&K State Sports Council launched its District Academy in Pulwama today followed by Bandipora and Ganderbal by chief guest of the occasion, Waheed-Ur-Rehman Parra, Secretary J&K State Sports Council in a simple function here.
State Football Academy which was launched on May 25 by Minister for Sports, IT and Technical Education, Imran Raza Ansari, aims to establish Academy Units of SFA in every District in three age groups of Under-13, Under-15 and Under-18 years. So far 250 players have been selected and trained at these three Districts and the SFA intends to targets 5000 players across the State by the end of the playing season, who will be professionally trained by Head of the Academy and Star Footballer, Mehraj-Ud-Din Wadoo, International Coach, Sajid Dar, International footballer Ishfaq Ahmad.
While Addressing Gathering, after Inaugurating Academy, Secretary Sports Council, Waheed Ur Rehman Parra said, “It was a long pending demand of our dedicated footballers and more Football Academy’s will be inaugurated in every District of Valley.”
He further added that, “The academy will act as major sports training institute and provide players a platform to prepare for Nationals as well as international competitions.”
Parra further said that Government has initiated various policies under which the sports infrastructure of the State will be developed as a major sports destination, added that the Government is keen to involve the youth of the State in sports activities to boost their morale. He said various measures are underway to involve more and more youth in sports.
The Secretary was accompanied by Prominent Footballer Mehrajuddin Wadoo. Wadoo said that academy will train age group of 13, 15 and 18 and team of professional coaches will train these players. He congratulated the players who were selected in recent trials and competitions held by the Academy. Wadoo further added that Pulwama Academy will have three units; one at main Pulwama, other at Noorpora, and Pampore respectively.
Meanwhile, State Football Academy was awarded 2 star rating by All India Football Federation (AIFF) which provides them berth to participate in major tournaments of National Level like Junior I-League, Youth League, IFA Shield Durand Cup etc.
Later in his speech Waheed Ur Rehman said “We want to see players from every part of the State performing at highest level and the platform has already been set by SFA”.
Parra inaugurates State Football Academy in Pulwama
