Srinagar

The second edition of the Positive Kashmir Football Championship kicked-off with an exhibition match between JK Bank and Downtown Heroes in Srinagar on Monday.

Aekif Reshin scored a brace to help JK Bank emerge victorious with a 4-3 margin.

The tournament will officially start on Tuesday with the first match between Lonestar Kashmir FC and Jhelum FC.

The final of the tournament will be played on November 14.

The matches to be played at the TRC Turf in Srinagar will feature 20 teams including top teams from the Union Territory like Bandipora FC, Kashmir Panthers, Anantnag Titans and Kashmir Arrows.

Positive Kashmir, the NGO behind organizing this tournament was formed in 2019 after the revocation of Article 370.

During the pandemic it worked tirelessly to help the locals with oxygen cylinders and food. Once normalcy returned, Bharat Rawat who started the NGO thought of expanding its initiatives.

Speaking to Awazthevice.in from Srinagar, Adnan Magray, the coordinator of Positive Kashmir said, “We wanted to give the youth of the valley a platform to help them uplift the quality of their lives,”

“Most of our activities are directed towards the youth. They are the building blocks of the country. What better way to do something for them than organizing sports activities,” adds Rawat.

After the success of the first edition of the tournament in 2021, continuing with it was a done deal. “Football is very popular here, more than cricket. Having matches under floodlights is a unique experience for the locals. This is also a great opportunity for local players to showcase their talent,” says Adnan.

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Positive Kashmir plans to hold more such sporting activities in future. A cricket tournament and some sports events for girls is next on the agenda.