The closing ceremony of 18th Martyrs’ Memorial Football championship was today held at TRC Football Ground Srinagar. The Director General of Police Shri Dilbag Singh was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
Mayor Srinagar Sh Junaid Azim Mattoo,ADGP Armed J&K Shri SJM Gillani, ADGP Kashmir Shri Vijay Kumar, IG BSF Shri Ashok Yadav, DIG Central Kashmir Range, Shri Sujit Kumar, DIG Armed, Shahid Mehraj, DIG IR Kashmir, Shri Abdul Qayoom, President DFA, Shri Bashir Ahmad Malik , General Secretary JK FA, Prof. B.A Shah, Chairman JK FA, Shri Wasim Aslam, all COs of Kashmir Based IR/AP Battalions, SSP Srinagar and other officers were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the DGP appreciated ADGP armed and his team, JK Football Association and Sports Counsel in organizing the mega event successfully. He congratulated the winner and runner up teams and also appreciated the overwhelming participation of teams in the tournament. He said that youth participating in positive activities would surely contribute in furthering the peace in J&K. He informed that 41 teams participated in this 18th edition of the tournament. DGP said that football is very popular in J&K and desired that barring the teams from government organizations each team should get sponsored for making this game even bigger. Referring to the kids who were playing football during the closing ceremony, the DGP said that future athletes are surely in the making.
The DGP said that J&K Police has been organizing this tournament in memory of our bravehearts who sacrificed their lives for the Nation and safeguarding the interests of the people and added that remembering them is the duty of every citizen. While paying rich tributes to the fallen heroes, the DGP said that JK Police will always stand with the families of the martyrs.
In his welcome address ADGP Armed thanked the DGP for gracing the ceremony and briefed about the fixtures and participation of teams in the tournament. He also thanked the players, spectators, media persons, and associated partners for making the event a success. He said that the tournament is organised by JK Police every year in the memory of those brave officials who gave supreme sacrifices of their lives for the sovereignty and integrity of the nation. He said that the tournament was first started in the year 1998.
Speaking to the media the DGP said that JK Police has been organizing this event for a very long time now to remember J&K Police martyrs. This edition of the tournament ended somedays back and due to some reasons the closing ceremony was held today during which prizes and trophies were distributed. With regard to the Budgam encounter, the DGP said that a suspected vehicle was asked to stop by Naka party, terrorists traveling the vehicle opened fire which was retaliated, triggering an encounter and added that in the encounter both the terrorists were gunned down. He said that both were associated with the LeT terror outfit.
With regard to the Republic day functions, the DGP said that before the closing ceremony, a security review meeting of senior officer was held at PCR Kashmir in which security measures were discussed and are being implemented for the day. The DGP said that every possible security would be provided for Bharat Jodo Yatra in J&K. He said that terrorism in J&K and other parts of the country is backed by Pakistan and added that some main elements have been designated as global terrorists and added that the process is on to get other elements notified as global terrorists who are supporting the spread of terrorism in J&K and in other parts of the country. With regard to the Rajouri incident, the DGP said that investigation is in progress and efforts are on to track down the involved terrorists.
Worth to mention that the final of the tournament was played between FC-1 and AG's Office XI at Synthetic Turf TRC Football Ground Srinagar on 6th of this month. AG’s Office XI won the match by 1:0 goals. The Lone goal was scored by Shakir Ahmad, Jersey No-24 who was awarded man of the Match for his excellent performance in the match.