He started out as a footballer at a tender age and represented the State and many other prestigious clubs as a pro, and in a career that spanned over two decades, he brought laurels to the teams he played for. After his retirement, he actively participated in various programmes aimed at developing the game in the State and uplifting the infrastructure. Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) took him as General Secretary and he rose to become its President in 2002, a position he continues to hold for the third time in a row. In an interview with Rameez Makhdoomi, Zamir Thakur talks about his early days as a footballer and how the sport developed in the State over the years and the immense love the people have for it.
When did you start playing professional football?
I fell for the sport at a young age, when I was a student of Tyndale Biscoe School. My career started shaping up in real sense when I got admission in Amar Singh College. Noted footballer, Gulzar Ahmed, spotted me as emerging talent and I was selected for inter-college tournaments. This is when I also represented Kashmir University. I was selected by Forest Department, which had a good professional club, in 1980. In 1982, I got the opportunity to play Junior Level National Football Tournament in Tripura and represent Jammu & Kashmir for the first time. There was no looking back after that. It was followed by my inclusion in all senior level and reputed major tournaments like Federation Cup, Santosh Trophy, and Durand Cup. Those days, Nepal used to organize Lord Buddha Football Tournament in which I got a chance to showcase my talent.
At what position did you play?
I played as halfback.
How did the 1989 armed uprising affect the game?
Because of a highly volatile situation at that time, the basic infrastructure of football took a heavy beating. I retired as a player in the early 90s to make way for the younger players, but that never ended my association with the game. I kept serving it in one capacity or the other. We had a football players association in Kashmir, run by Late Farooq Ahmad, of which I became General Secretary after my retirement till 2002.
In 2002, I was elected as President of Jammu & Kashmir Football Association and this is my third term.
What were your priority areas after you took over as President in 2002?
The major challenge was to revive and resuscitate the basic infrastructure in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. I got, since assuming Presidentship, several prestigious tournaments conducted in Jammu & Kashmir. We developed many new football grounds.
Why is India still lagging in FIFA rankings?
The biggest reason for Indias poor show in Football on global radar has been on account of poor infrastructure and lack of proper coaching. We also do not have many synthetic turfs, also known as Astroturfs, while as the countries with good football rankings have such turfs in large numbers. European countries have been playing on synthetic turfs since decades and we are developing them now.
Although, I would like to state that we are witnessing an impressive improvement over the past few years in overall infrastructure development and coaching levels with active support from FIFA.
Are we developing synthetic turfs in Kashmir?
Yes, we are having a synthetic turf football stadium coming up at TRC Srinagar to be thrown open soon, and there are many more in the pipeline.
Despite people from all walks of life and age groups keenly interested in football, do you believe there is a step-motherly treatment towards the sport in Jammu & Kashmir?
Football is extremely popular in Jammu & Kashmir and it is the only game wherein we have produced more than thirty international players. Successive state governments adopted a step-motherly treatment towards the game which is clear from the lack of proper funding.
What is the mandate of JKFA?
The foremost responsibility of Jammu & Kashmir Football Association is to promote football in all regions and pockets of the state. We are assigned to prepare our youngsters for all major football tournaments, which we are perfectly doing.
We have fifteen thousand footballers associated with us and were maintaining over two dozen football grounds in the state.
Brazilian Coach Marcos stint in Kashmir generated some controversies. Your take!
Since he was associated with International Sports Academic Trust (ISAT), we had brought him to train our emerging talent. Nine hundred children were enrolled by JKFA and he was assigned to train them, and he trained them well. But as the time went by, he started becoming a part of avoidable controversies. So, we had to relieve him of his responsibilities. He had started meddling with affairs that had got nothing to do with football and because of the political instability in the state, it could have put a question mark against the intent of JKFA as well.
How talented are Kashmiris as footballers?
We have produced a number of international level footballers and we have a rich pool of talent.
Which areas have rich reservoir of talent in J&K?
Sopore and Baramulla, followed by Srinagar, have the richest talent in our state, and parents in these areas are enthusiastic about the game and want their children to get coached and professionally trained.
Your most memorable match!
My most memorable match was against the reputed Dempo Club that we defeated in a crucial match despite the club having nine international players.
Do you believe the subcontinent, especially India and Pakistan, have sidelined football for cricket?
Yes, cricket enjoys a lot of finance and patronage compared to football in our part of the world. But I see things changing, at least in India. Over the last several years, we are witnessing a great improvement. There is a growing awareness that considering the global status of football, it needs to be promoted at all costs.
Which are your favourite international teams?
Brazil and Argentina are my all-time favourite.
What is the one change you want to see for the betterment of the sport in J&K?
We have a tremendous zeal for the game of football. I strongly believe the corporate sector in our state needs to come forward and play its role in promoting the game.
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