Dasmunsi to visit Kashmir to see Santosh Trophy preparations

Srinagar, May 23 (UNI) Union Information Minister and All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi will arrive here on June 4 on a two-day visit during which he is expected to formally allot the 62nd National Football tournament for Santosh Trophy 2007 to Jammu and Kashmir.

Sources in the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) told UNI here that the AIFF executive body met under the chairmanship of Mr Dasmunsi in New Delhi on May 21 to decide about the venue for the 2007 championship.

In the meeting, it was unanimously decided to allot the 62nd Santosh Trophy this year to Jammu and Kashmir, they added.

However, the sources said there was likelihood of the tournament getting postponed by few days. It would not take off on the proposed date of July 10, they added.

During Mr Dasmunsi's visit, the sources said, he will meet Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and JKFA president Zameer A Thakur to discuss infrastructure and other requirements.

Earlier on May 18, Sports Minister Babu Singh announced during a news conference here that Jammu and Kashmir will host the 62nd National Football tournament for Santosh Trophy from July 10.

The Minister had made the announcement after getting the green signal from two AIFF observers - Sabrata Dutta and Nasir Ali.

However, the observers had directed the JKFA and agencies concerned to upgrade the facilities at different venues.

The AIFF observers had selected Bakshi Stadium and Polo ground in Srinagar and the Government Science College in Jammu for the matches to be played during the championship.

They had also short-listed TRC ground, Amar Singh College, S P College and Hockey ground in Srinagar and the Parade ground in Jammu for practice matches.

As many as 35 teams were expected to take part in the tournament which would be held here after nearly 30 years.

Srinagar had hosted the 35th Santosh Trophy in 1978 when Goa won the championship beating Bengal 2-0. The Bakshi Stadium had also hosted the Federation Cup in 1984.

UNI