The tournament was extremely popular with youth, both spectators and players, and it kept football activities alive during the harsh winter season in the valley.

“This is one of the best steps taken by the JKFA and it is very beneficial for us. Earlier, football was played only during the summer and in winters, we did not have such kind of activities,” said Showket Ahmad, a former football player.

Encouraged by the enthusiastic response, the JKFA is planning to organise more such events in the future which will also help promote the Kashmir Valley as an all weather sports destination.

“The new programme has been successful. We will be organising this event in other districts of the state too,” said Fayaz Ahmad Sofi, a senior member of the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association.

A British missionary, Canon CE Tyndale Biscoe, who was also the founder of Srinagar’s historic Biscoe School, introduced football in Kashmir in 1890.

The state has produced talented footballers like Abdul Majeed Kakroo, Mushtaq Ahmad Baba, Gulzar Ahmad, Muhammad Yousuf Dar, Ishfaq Ahmad and Mehrajuddin Wadoo.

Till date, 24 players from state have represented India at different levels.