The J&K State Football Academy of J&K State Sports Council launched its District Unit Jammu at M.A. Stadium in Jammu.

Shiv Kumar Joint Secretary J&K State Sports was the Chief Guest of the occasion.

Out of 300 players in open selection trials with 75 players selected from them who will undergo stern coaching preparing them for I-League youth league tournaments. By the end of month SFA will be reaching out to Udhampur, Samba, Kathua in its first phase and will be followed by Chenab Valley.

State Football Academy an initiative of Sports Council aims to establish Academies in all 22 Districts of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Targeting 5,000 players and 200 in house Coaches grooming them for highest competitions of the country. The idea is to reach out to the player from every corner of the State. The Academy is being overlooked by Sports Minister Imran Ansari and Secretary Sports Council Waheed Ur Rehman as its CEO.

The Academy is also being spearheaded by former India international Mehrajuddin Wadoo with Sajid Dar, former Indian National Women Team Head Coach, as its Technical Director, Satpal Singh as its Head Coach and a qualified panel of Assistant Coaches.

The State Football Academy is registered with J&K Football Association and the All India Football Federation and is all set to make debut in Youth I-League 2017/18.

Among guests Surinder Singh Bunty, JKFA Vice-President; Arun Malhotra, former India international; Ramesh Chander, Krupali Singh, S.P. Singh and other Guest were present for the encouragement of the players.