Bandipora, Dec 05: The final match of Maj Gopi Singh Rathore, SC Memorial North Kashmir Football Tournament 2018 was played at Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium, Bandipora on Wednesday.
The tournament started on 03 Dec 2018 with an intent to select the best team of North Kashmir out of the eight teams that participated in this phase after emerging winners amongst 32 teams which played in Phase-I.
The tournament was conducted by the Rashtriya Rifles under the aegis of Watlab Sector. The technical assistance for the tournament was provided by the District Football Association, Bandipora. There were a total 8 participating teams of various districts which were divided into two pools – Pool 'A' & Pool 'B' of 4 teams each.
After having played the entire tournament on knock out basis, the unbeaten two teams viz Iqra FC Dachigam and Lahrwalpora FC A played the final on 05 Dec 2018.
The tournament was played under standard international FIFA rules & regulations.
The aim of the tournament was to indentify fresh young football talent in the area and promote it further to higher level.The match was witnessed by a large audience including Brig V Hariharan, Commander Watlab Sector and a host of the other dignitaries from Army, Police and civil administration.
The event an award ceremony was conducted to felicitate the award winners. Prize money was awarded to top four teams, man of the tournament, man of the match, and the most disciplined team of the tournament. The match was won by Iqra FC Dachigam and the runner up team was Lahrwalpora FC A.
Man of the match was given to Mr Samir Ahmed and Man of the tournament was Mr Umar Farooq of Iqra FC Dachigam was adjudged the most disciplined team. After the ceremony, Chief Guest encouraged and congratulated all the players and officials for immaculate conduct of the tournament.
Talking to the media the Chief Guest said that the mass participation of youngsters in the tournament as well as heavy gathering of spectators indicates the leaning of common people in the area towards aligning with the mainstream as far as sports is concerned.
He was sure that various tournaments of this magnitude if conducted in future would channelise the energy of immensely talented Kashmiri youth in a positive direction in the times to come.