Players of low-profile games not safe: FPWA

The 24-hour of detention of the Valley’s budding cricketers Parveez Rasool and Mehraj-ud-din in Banglore has stirred the sports fraternity fearing such harassments would discourage the players in the Valley.
Football Players Welfare Association (FPWA) on Monday said that the harassment of the Kashmiri sportspersons would deter budding sportspersons from taking part in active sports.
“Kashmiris are by default the targets for harassments but targeting sportspersons will have bad consequences on the psyche of the sportspersons. Despite disturbance here in the Valley, youth kept the sports spirit alive. Sports continued to flourish and youth loved sports but such incident will dampen their spirit,” said vice-president FPWA, Sajid Dar, addressing media persons here.
“Such incidents send bad signal and no parent will allow their children to move outside the state to play,” added Dar.
Speaking on the occasion general secretary FPWA, Dr Zahoor Haroon, said timely intervention of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association has ensured safe release of the cricketer.
He, however, said that the player of any other low profile game can feel secure as the other state associations are not as strong as JKCA.
“There are other associations that send single or few players outside the State for championships. If such incidents happen to them, their safe release is unlikely to be ensured,” said Dr Haroon.

FPWA Rehab center for injured soccer players

With no systematic rehabilitation program for injured sports persons in the State, many talented boys either lost interest in the sports or the injuries hampered their career badly.
To ensure that the career of the soccer players doesn’t get affected, Football Players Welfare Association (FPWA) has taken the bold initiative to cater to the injured players by facilitating them proper rehab.
In collaboration with Dr Ashai Physio Therapy, Fitness and Rehabilitation Center, FPWA has facilitated the rehabilitation of almost forty injured soccer players in two months since its establishment here in the State.“All most every injured player has recovered and some of them are under rehabilitation,” said Valley’s renowned Physio, Dr Ajaz Ashai.
Dr Ashai said the injured players were from leading clubs of the Valley.
“We don’t want to play with the career of the players. We give separate time to the players recommended by FPWA,” said Dr Ashai.
On why there were many injured players from leading clubs which have Physio’s, Dr Ashai cited lack of facilities as the main reason for their injuries.
“A team should have a fully equipped rehabilitation centre which the team Physio can utilize. The teams, here, have Physio’s but lack facilities. Injuries can’t be redressed fully without rehabilitation center,” said Dr Ashai.
As the players are not able to pay fee to Physio for his treatment, FPWA takes the responsibility of the injured player for his whole treatment.
FPWA charges a soccer player only Rs 200 as a monthly membership fee and takes the responsibility of his full rehabilitation.
“This is small amount as compared to the fee charged by any Physio. He charges nearly Rs 100 per visit. Now, players will not get discouraged if they pick up any injury. They can avail the facility rehabilitation in our clinic,” added the Physio.
Ironically, some of the talented players from leading clubs had to undergo surgery which cost them in thousands.
The SRTC football team defender, Sajad Ahmad Sheikh, had to take loan to the tune of Rs one lakh for his rehabilitation.
“I got disappointed as nobody helped me. I approached ministers for my rehabilitation but there was no response from them. I had to take loan,” said Sheikh.
Sheikh is now under rehabilitation at Dr Ashais physiotherapy center.
“I am recovering now. Had FPWA been established earlier, I would not have to take loan for rehabilitation,” said Sheikh.
Vice-president FPWA, Sajid Dar, said that the association is for the welfare of the players.
“Everybody is contributing here and helping their colleagues. The players need to be properly taken care of for their career. The system of rehabilitation gives players hope for prolonged career,” said Dar

Joseph’s coaching will help State football: FPWA

Football Players Welfare Association (FPWA) Wednesday expressed happiness over the arrival of AIFF's coaching director Gabriel Joseph here in Kashmir to train Valley’s football coaches in the Asian Football Confederation C license course. The AFC C license course will begin here from Friday. Jammu Kashmir Football Association is organizing the course under the banner of All India Football Federation.
“This is good news for all the soccer players. He has produced many coaches for the country and the candidates should take full advantage of the course under his guidance,” said vice-president FPWA, Sajid Dar.
Dar said that Joseph has all the abilities to mould the soccer players into good coaches.
“Joseph is a gentle and sober person. He has proved to be great instructor. The players will get benefited from this course,” said Dar.
Dar said he gained lot of knowledge under his training at Lucknow.
“I attended the AFC C license course in 2006 and gained lot of skills. He has great experience in coaching which will benefit the State players,” said Dar.
The vice-president praised Jammu JKFA for conducting this course.
“The credit goes to JKFA. This is the second time the association is conducting the course here. Such coaching course will lift the standard of the football in the State,” added Dar.
General Secretary FPWA, Dr Zahoor Haroon, also hailed the JKFA’s initiative of organizing coaching camp for the benefit of the State football.
“Our coaches will gain knowledge who will share that with their team mates. The teams will be benefited,” said Dr Zahoor.
Dr Zahoor said that such coaching camps should be conducted in the future also to further boost the State football.
The member of the FPWA said that they are thankful to Joseph for visiting the football crazy State for imparting knowledge.

FPWA gets nod of national parent body

Football Players Welfare Association (FPWA) has got the nod of its big boss for conducting more football promotional activities here in the State. Football Players Association of India (FPAI) has promised FPWA of their support in conducting activities to promote football here.
“FPAI has appreciated our cause to promote football. They have promised us of the support to help our cause to develop the football,” said president FPWA, Mehraj-ud-in Wadoo, over phone.
“We’ve received a letter from FPAI promising us to support in our future programs,” added Wadoo.
Wadoo said that during the off season of the football, FPWA will bring national players to Kashmir to promote the game.
“When they come, it will boast the game and encourage the players,” said president FPWA.
Wadoo said that FPAI is promoting football in the country and with their cooperation; FPWA will plan further programs for the welfare of footballers.
“We’ve good plans in hand to promote football. People in Kashmir are very keen to excel in football. They need help and guidance. We want to come up to their expectations,” said Wadoo