Soccer Mania Grips Himachal

By: Jun 10th, 2017 12:30 am

Rajiv K Phull        ( cover story )

NEWSSoccer mania has gripped Himachal. And it is not only here to stay but also flourish more in coming years if enthusiasm shown by players, coaches and referees participating in Divya Himachal Football League is any indication. The state’s leading media group Divya Himachal provided yet another unique platform to football players not only to show their talent but also take it to the next level. Hilly state’s first professional football league is drawing huge applause from all sections as participants feel that introduction of prize money will prove to be a big motivating factor for youngsters to take up this sport as a professing in coming years.

The Participating Teams…

NEWS

League Will Encourage Youth

NEWSMost of the experts associated with the football sport in one way or the other feel that this professional football league will attract youth towards this fascinating game. Though, many current and former players have represented Himachal in Santosh Trophy yet state’s standing in national championship has not been encouraging. Lack of proper football grounds, proper infrastructure, training facilities coupled with other administrative shortcomings are proving  hurdles in progress of this sport in this hilly state. Players have restricted exposure in terms of football competitions being held in Himachal. Himachal’s football teams are participating in different categories, including Under 14, Under-17, Under-19 and seniors at national level as teams are selected by HP Football Association. Young football players also get a chance to represent state teams in Under 14, Under-17, Under-19 categories in national school games being held by School Games Federation of India.

Lack of Football Grounds

Most of the towns don’t have proper football grounds that is proving to be a major hurdle in expansion of this sport in Himachal. At school level, young players have to practice in whatever space is available whereas those aspiring to pursue at higher level don’t have infrastructural facilities. There are very few football academies operating here including the one for girls at Khad village in Una. Towns like Una, Paonta Sahib, Nahan, Dharamshala, Shimla, Kullu, Hamirpur and Mandi have some facilities for football.

What The Players Feel…

Shubham Attri, Nahan* Football league is a good platform to promote the game and players

-Shubham Attri, Nahan

Vikas Thakur Solan* Holding a football league will help Himachali youth to hon their talent

-Vivek Thakur, Solan

Dheeraj Sharma, Mandi* The prize money in league is a big motivating factor for budding footballers

-Dheeraj Sharma, HP Police, Mandi

Lokesh Guleria Shimla* It will help in establishing a good football club of Himachal in future

-Lokesh Guleria, HP Police, Shimla

The Expert Opinion…

As football players in Himachal are from poor economic condition, promotion of game will go a long way in providing them employment as well with state having reservation quota for outstanding sportspersons in government jobs.

Rajesh Kumar, DPE, Kandaghat* Himachal is short of facilities and quality grounds for promotion of football

-Rajesh Kumar, DPE, Kandaghat

Tilak Raj Sharma Joint Secretary, HPFA* Football league is a big initiative that will boost morale of the players

-Tilak Raj Sharma Joint Secretary, HPFA

Sher Singh, DPE, Gaighat* Trained coaches should be deployed at places where football facilities are available

-Sher Singh, DPE, Gaighat

‘Improve Fitness Level’

NEWSExperts feel that football players in Himachal need to raise their fitness level as the sport is played on a hard ground in this hilly state. As a result, players often suffer primarily from ligament tears, soft tissue injuries, nasal injuries, compression injuries due to studs and bleeding. Dr. Neha Rana, BPT CNDT (PT), attending to injured players on the ground, says that football requires a great deal of stamina and endurance to keep injuries away.

Dr. Neha Rana, BPT CNDT (PT)* Fitness level of football players in Himachal is not up to the mark. Injuries can keep them away from the game for a long period

-Dr. Neha Rana, BPT CNDT (PT)

Himachal’s Biggest Football Tournament

NEWSHimachal biggest football tournament Divya Himachal Football League started in sports town Dharamshala on June 6. In all eight teams, divided in two groups, are participating in this tournament that inaugurated in two phases by urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma CUHP Vice Chancellor Dr. Kuldeep Chand Agnihotri. Divya Himachal Editor-in-Chief Anil Soni was present on the occasion.  Earlier a flame run was held from Kotwali Chowk to the Police Ground, the venue of the tournament.

‘Sports Help in Personality Development’

Speaking on the occasion, Divya Himachal Editor-in-Chief Anil Soni said endeavour is to search for talented persons who can bring laurels for the country at international level. Assuring support to every sportsperson, he revealed that Divya Himachal helped in getting passport for athlete Seema and she went on to win bronze medal for the country in recently held Asian Youth Athletics championship.

Anil Soni, Editor-in-Chief, Divya Himachal* Divya Himachal’s only objective is to tap and promote talented persons in cultural, music, sports and others fields so that they can excel at international level

-Anil Soni, Editor-in-Chief, Divya Himachal

Sudhir Sharma, Urban Development Minister* We must bring youth in playgrounds as otherwise they remain busy on social media

-Sudhir Sharma, Urban Development Minister

Dr. Kuldeep Chand Agnihotri, VC, CUHP* Divya Himachal has registered its emphatic presence in cultural, social and sports field. Participation is important than winning or losing

-Dr. Kuldeep Chand Agnihotri, VC, CUHP

भारत मैट्रीमोनी पर अपना सही संगी चुनें – निःशुल्क रजिस्टर करें !

 


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