Category: India

Srinagar, Oct 5: The 92.7 Big FM network is going launch biggest ever football tournament of State, Big Soccer League shortly in Srinagar.
The league drawing its inspiration from world known football leagues would be based on the pattern of District franchisee each owned by corporate house. The event would be biggest ever football league held in State with players getting chance to showcase their talent at highest stage.
“We have been noticing that cricket is getting money, events while number one sport of World and JK is being sidelined. Though, J&K Football Association (JKFA) is doing excellent job. However, they lack the money power that can lift game in the State,” said a statement released by Big FM.

“Keeping all that in view we are coming up with Franchisee based league that will sideline every other league that are being held in State. Football is game of masses and we know how much crowd it can attract. Stadiums always remain full and that is what every player want, to showcase their talent in front of packed housed,” statement said.
In the inaugural year, league would be held on Eight District franchisee pattern with each District Franchisee being owned by Corporate House.
“In the inaugural year we are rolling only eight district franchisees, Srinagar, Anantnag, Ganderbal,Budgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Baramulla and Kupwara. Each team would be up for grabs in the bidding to be held shortly. The base price for each District team in the bidding process would be Rupees two lakhs. The last date for registrations of franchisees for bidding process has been fixed on October 12,” statement read.
“The event would be played on league format followed by playoffs for top four teams. The teams would be allowed to maximum of 18 players in the side plus, coach, assistant coach, team owner, mentor and physio. Each side can include maximum of three current Santosh trophy level player, maximum of four national level players, two Under-19 players, two U-17 players, three District players excluding Santosh trophy or national level Players, one outside player and rest should be club players,” statement said.
“The playing-XI should include, maximum of two current Santosh trophy players, maximum of two national level players, minimum of one U-19 player, minimum one U-17 player, minimum two district players excluding Santosh trophy or national level players, one outside player (optional) and rest would comprise of club level players,” statement said.
The organisers are planning bog things to make event an attractive affair and for that they are trying to install floodlights in order to play matches under lights. In the other things that are in plan to make event attractive, are, Entertainment on Grounds, VVIP lodges, exclusive fast food counters, lucky draws, projector screens, live dj. The organisers are also going owner players in the categories of Golden Boot Award, golden ball award, golden glove award, man of the matches, best U-19 player, best U-17 player, best club level player, best district player award and all senior players to be awarded.
“We are working hard to make this league a showpiece event. For making it smooth we will be approaching departmental teams for releasing the players, JKFA for permission to hold league and J&K State Sports Council to allow us to play on their grounds. The league will help football to achieve the position that it should have got long back,” statement said.
“We will shortly are going to announce the date of bidding and inauguration. We will also announce the name of CEO shortly,” statement added.

Report from http://www.greaterkashmir.com