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Srinagar, Jul 28 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) is organising '' First New JK Roadways'' knockout soccer tournament here from July 30.

A total of 36 top teams have confirmed their participation in the 21-day tournament, JKFA president Zameer Ahmad Thakur told a news conference here today.

This is the first soccer tournament being played in the valley after a gap of several years.

Appealing to business houses to come forward to help revive, once the most popular sport ''football'', in the valley, Thakur said, ''we lack fields and other facilities for the game.'' ''We have just two play fields while others were converted into parks,'' he said.

He said the valley had produced talented footballers who represented the country in international tournaments. Those who earned a name for the state included former Indian football skipper Abdul Majeed Kakroo, Mohammad Shafi Nari, Mohammad Yousuf Dar, Mohammad Aslam Dar and Khursheed Baba.

At present four footballers from the state-- Mehraj-ud-din Wadoo, Ashfaq, Johny William and Arun Malhotra-- are playing for India's most popular clubs.

In reply to a question about hosting of Santosh Trophy, Thakur said due to lake of infrastructure and other facilities the AIFF defer it and now the 62nd National football championship for Santosh will be played here in May next year.

UNI