Leading the praise are J&K Sports Development Association (JKSDA) and Football Players Welfare Association.
“It is bold step on part of the sports board to remove coach and particularly long standing manager from the helm of affairs in football team. The decision should have been made earlier but still better late than never” said JKSDA joint secretary Rouf Ahmad.
He said that JK Bank is reckoned as powerhouse of JK football and football fraternity expect it to make whole State proud at national arena.
“In State JK Bank has a position of numero uno and no one can challenge its supremacy but we expect it to make whole State proud at national level in which it has failed so far. In that perspective to bring change, the major decision needed to be taken and removing of Coach Abdul Majeed Kakroo and manager Zahoor Ahmad Teli are step in that direction” he said.
He further said that being former footballers doesn’t guarantee anyone to be great coach or manager.
“There is no doubt about the experience and career of players like Kakroo and Teli. The whole State is proud of them but it doesn’t mean they will turn out as good coach and manger as well” JKSDA joint secretary said.
“In current time professionalism has been brought into the game. Not only players but coaches and mangers have also been turned into professionals who know every technicality of the game both on and off the field” he added.
Hailing the decision FPWA general secretary termed the decision as a chance for young generation to prove themselves.
“The previous regime brought laurels for the State during last many years but now it is the time for young generation of qualified coaches and managers of Bank to take charge. For that reason it is appreciable decision on part of the Sports Board for making such bold change” said FPWA general secretary.
“JK Bank is number one team of the State and it has got best talent of players, coaches, managers at its disposal so why to stick with old ones. The young generation needed chance and the Board has given them that now. It is now to be seen how much they will deliver” he added.
Pertinently the continued lacklustre performance by the JK Bank football team finally took its toll as JK Bank Sports Board on Friday removed coach and manager from their duties.
The Sports Board held its meeting on Friday evening in which they were about to review the performance the of the team and also finalise squad for the Durand Cup. Taking everyone by surprise board not only announced the squad but also announced new manager and coach for the squad thus releasing the existing coach and manager from their duties in team.
The team was playing under the watchful eyes of the former Indian football team captain, Abdul Majeed Kakroo and was managed by another well known footballer of yesteryears Zahoor Ahmad Teli. Relieving these two stalwarts of yesteryears from their duties the Bank management has assigned the jobs to youngsters like Manzoor Ahmad Dar, Hilal Rasool Parray and Majid Yousuf Dar.
The NIS certified coach Manzoor Dar has been appointed as coach while NIS and AFC B-license coach Hilal Rasool Parry has also been given job to train the team. The former footballer and professional sports manager Majid Yousuf Dar has been appointed as team manager in place of Zahoor Ahmad Teli.
