JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir government Monday approved funding worth Rs 20 million for Hero I-League debutants Real Kashmir Football Club until 2022, Press Trust of India reports.
The J&K State Administrative Council (SAC), under the chairmanship of governor Satya Pal Malik, took this decision at a meeting in the city.
For its performance, Real Kashmir has been gaining popularity among the youth of the state, In the matches played in the Kashmir Valley, more than 25000 people turn up to cheer for their favourite team. However, presently the Real Kashmir FC is financially not in a position to meet the players’ expenditure including expenses on training, travelling, boarding and lodging, government officials observed.
The SAC further directed the Department of Youth Services & Sports to formulate a proposal in consultation with the finance department for providing grant to sports teams of J&K which qualify for top level national leagues in cricket, hockey, kabaddi and badminton.
The development comes at a time when developing sport in the state has gained more focus and importance. The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council had confirmed in September 2018 that it had hired NPCC to construct the state’s first ever international, FIFA standards compliant football stadium in Srinagar at a budget of Rs 500 million by this year.
The Srinagar Indoor Stadium is being renovated at present for Rs. 170 million by the government as well. It also succeeded in receiving a Rs. 143 million grant by the central government as part of its ambitious ‘Khelo India Scheme’ in June 2018.
Malik’s vision of reviving cricket in the state is no secret as the state is building an international cricket stadium and persuading Indian Premier League (IPL) authorities for a team of its own in the cash-rich tournament.
