Santosh Trophy likely to be held in May next year

New Delhi, May 24 (UNI) The National Football championship for the Santosh trophy slated to be held in Srinagar from July 10 is likely to be deferred till May next year.

According to sources, the executive committee of the AIFF is of the view that because of the Amarnath Yatra during July, the security forces will be deployed in full strength for the peaceful conduct of the Yatra and may not be available in good number for the Nationals.

The sources told UNI that in the given situation, it is felt that Santosh Trophy be deferred till May next.

''The annual AIFF calender is from June 1 to May 31 and holding the Nationals at Srinagar in May next year will not disturb the continuity of the event,'' they said.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Priyaranjan Dasmunsi is visiting Jammu and Kashmir on June 4 and 5 and will discuss the holding of National Championship in the state with Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

AIFF had sent its vice-president Subrata Dutta and excecutive committee member Syed Nasir Ali to Srinagar for on the spot study and see if the state capital had infrastructure ready to host the Nationals on time.

The members during their two day visit to Jammu and Srinagar inspected the stadia and expressed their satisfaction with the infrastructure.

UNI