 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 10: The formidable side of Indian Air Force (IAF) clinched the well contested inaugural game against Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to qualify for the next round of quarterfinals in the IV All India Police Martyrs' Hockey Tournament, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Police at K K Hakhu Stadium, here today.
Leading by a goal in the first half of the play, IAF improved the score after the breather only to find CRPF reducing the margin in the later stages of the match. Though CRPF got a couple of good chances but they failed in their attempts to convert them into goal.
The only international player playing in the opening match, Lovedeep Singh brought in the first blood netting the ball in the very second minute converting a penalty corner. The lead well maintained by IAF in the first half of the game.
After the sides changed, IAF improved the lead with Varinder Kumar sounding the board in the 58th minute. However, CRPF managed a goal in the 67th minute to the cheers of the crowd but it was too late to recover.
For his brilliant show Lovedeep Singh was declared man of the match and presented with Rs 4,000 cash reward by the organisers. Lovedeep has represented India in the 2009 Asia Cup and remained in the India camps for many a times.
Earlier, the competition was declared open by the Minister for Sports, Imran Raza Ansari in a well attended function. Minister for Industries, Chander Parkesh Ganga and Minister for Revenue, Javaid Mustafa Mir were guests of honour.
Speaking to the participating teams after declaring the meet open, the chief guest appreciated the J&K Police for paying tributes to the brave soldiers of the force through the medium of sports. He lauded the role of the police personnel and officers, who have sacrificed their lives fighting the militancy.
To make the event more competitive among the participating teams, the Minister has doubled the prize money for the winning team. Now, the winning team shall get Rs one lakh prize money instead of earlier amount of Rs 50,000.
Earlier, Director General of J&K Police, K Rajendra Kumar in his welcome address recalled the services of Police martyrs who laid down their precious lives for upholding the security and integrity of the country. Paying rich tributes to the martyrs, the DGP said that the families of our martyrs will continue to remain the members of Police Pariwar and it is our duty to take care of them by all means.
Among others present were ADGP (Headquarters), S P Vaid, DG Youth Services and Sports, Navin Aggerwal, ADGP (Armed), S M Sahai, IsGP, AK Choudhary, HK Lohia, Deepak Kumar, SJM Geelani, MS Salaria, Yoginder Koul, MA Khan, Rajesh Kumar, Mukesh Singh, Shyam Lal, SA Watali, MA Ganai, JP Singh and other retired and serving police officers.
Tea 'important' than game
In a surprising move, the Minister for Sports, Imran Raza Ansari along with other distinguished gathering at the inaugural of the Police Martyrs' Hockey Tournament, little bother about the game, left the venue to enjoy tea at nearby makeshift tented accommodation. The special guests were so insensitive that they received the mementos when the first half of the play was in progress between two known sides of the country.
Furthermore, none of the three ministers as also the DGP returned to witness the opening match to the surprise of hockey lovers and those members of the Hockey Jammu and Kashmir.
FIXTURE: J&K XI shall take on Namdhari XI at 10 am; Dogra XI shall be playing against New Gurdaspur Club at 12 noon; Core of Signals to meet CISF at 2 pm tomorrow. |
