By Rameez Makhdoomi
Football is undoubtedly the most popular game in the world, with over 3.5 billion fans. Played in more than 200 countries worldwide, the passion for football is on another level. Although the FIFA ranking of our country is still weak, football is definitely growing in India. The football craze in the Kashmir valley is also growing. While cricket is the most popular game in Kashmir, like the rest of the country, the passion for football is on the rise.
At the historic Anjum Stadium in Qamarwari, Srinagar, under the Kashmir Football Academy, one can see scores of young children learning the art of football and playing the game with fierce seriousness. According to Waseem Javaid, the head of the Kashmir Football Academy and a football player himself, the passion and interest towards football are on the rise in Kashmir. He states, "Football is the most popular sport in the world. The children of Kashmir are showing great interest in football. We are providing them with the desired training at the Kashmir Football Academy and taking their skills to new and efficient levels. Football, a popular and fitness-oriented sport, can also help effectively tackle the rising issue of drug addiction. With support from society and the government, we desire to take football to new levels in Kashmir."
With young children, both boys and girls, perfecting their football skills in both forward and defending positions, the future of football in Kashmir looks bright. A ten-year-old kid, Saad from Srinagar, says he has learned effective football skills here and aims to play for the country as a formidable defender.
All this is pleasant development for Kashmir,.
The football craze promotes physical fitness, teamwork, and social bonding. It provides a platform for young talent to shine, fosters community spirit, and can be a powerful tool in combating social issues like drug addiction. Football's global appeal also bridges cultural divides, promoting unity and healthy competition.
