Jammu, Jan 23: Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Satya Pal Malik, Wednesday hoped that Real Kashmir Football Club’s success will revive the beautiful game in the state and other parts of India.
The Governor was addressing the players and the spectators during RKFC’s friendly match with J&K Police here at BSF Stadium Ploura.
“India achieved a lot in hockey but lagged behind in football. Once, the Indian football team played in Olympics but later this sport found fewer takers in India. However, now, I see a ray of hope in Real Kashmir for taking this game to newer heights,” he added.
J&K Governor said the success of Latin American footballers has been an apt inspiration in human history.
“Latin American footballers used to play without shoes and had no access to facilities like uniform and good playgrounds. They still set a benchmark in the game, which is today considered an inspiration by people worldwide,” he said.
The Governor, during the event, presented Rs 2 crore annual grant to RKFC as a part of the decision of State Administrative Council (SAC) to financially assist the club for three years.
J&K Police team was also presented a cheque of Rs 10 lakh as the prize money for the Wednesday’s match.
Malik said his administration was ready to financially help many other sports in the state.
“Like Real Kashmir, we are eager to see other team progressing in other sports. We will help them financially and infrastructure-wise,” he said.
Complimenting both the teams for their outstanding performances in the match, the Governor observed that Real Kashmir has performed exceptionally well at the national level, where it defeated many top teams of the country and praised the J&K Police Football Team for fighting so well against a strong team in the exhibition match.
Both the teams were declared as joint winners of the match which was organised by the Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council in collaboration with the J&K Police.
For its performance, Real Kashmir has been gaining popularity across India.
Within two years of its formation, the team has qualified for the top tier I-League in which it successfully defeated teams like Mohun Bagan, Chennai City FC and Minerva Punjab FC.
