Kargil, November 09: The much-anticipated 1st Fateh Cup Football Tournament 2025 was inaugurated today with great enthusiasm at the Astro Turf Football Ground, Khel Gaon, Kurbathang, Kargil.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by, Hon’ble Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon as the Chief Guest, while Tahir Hussain Zubdavi, Joint Director, Youth Services and Sports, UT Ladakh, attended as the Guest of Honour.
The tournament is organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, UT Ladakh, in collaboration with the Kargil Football Association under the aegis of the Ladakh Football Association and supported by the Indian Army. The tournament aims to honour the bravery and supreme sacrifices of the soldiers who laid down their lives for the nation during the Kargil conflicts of 1948 and 1999.
A total of eight leading football clubs from Kargil are participating in this inaugural edition, marking a significant step forward in the promotion of football and youth engagement in the region.
Prominent attendees at the event included Issa Khan, Accounts Officer; Anayat Ali, General Secretary, Ladakh Taekwondo Association; Hani Hanifa, President, Kargil Football Association; Abdul Hamid, Mohammad Ibrahim Shoqi, sports officials, players, and local enthusiasts.
In his address, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon commended the organisers for their initiative and extended his gratitude to the Department of Youth Services and Sports and the Indian Army for their collaboration in making the event possible. He remarked that it is a proud moment to present the spirit of patriotism in the form of sports, adding, “The sacrifice of our soldiers is invaluable, and organising such tournaments is a befitting tribute to their memory.”
Dr. Akhoon also extended special appreciation to Joint Director Youth Services and Sports, Mr. Tahir Hussain Zubdavi, for his significant contributions to sports development in Kargil, describing him as an energetic and optimistic officer dedicated to promoting sports through tireless efforts. He further expressed optimism that Kargil’s young players will soon represent the region at national and international levels.
The CEC highlighted that LAHDC Kargil has successfully secured land for sports infrastructure and assured continued institutional support for the development of sports facilities in the district. He added that efforts are underway to create a dedicated fund head for supporting sporting activities and infrastructure.
Appreciating the players and participants, Dr. Akhoon encouraged them to play with energy, dedication, and sportsmanship, quoting, “A sound body is the sign of a sound mind.”
In his remarks, Joint Director Youth Services and Sports, Mr. Zubdavi, expressed gratitude to the CEC for his time and support. He highlighted that the main objective of the Fateh Cup is to commemorate the bravery and sacrifices of the soldiers of Kargil and assured that in the coming years, the tournament would be expanded to a larger platform, attracting broader participation.
The 1st Fateh Cup Football Tournament 2025 stands as a heartfelt tribute to the heroes of Kargil—blending patriotism with sportsmanship—and inspiring the youth to uphold the spirit of unity, courage, and dedication through the beautiful game of football.
