The most popular game, football

        South Africa successfully organized 2010 world cup. It was an amazing event with huge success. It not only raised the profile of entire African continent but also host country’s management skill to hold such a big tournament that was well appreciated all over the world.  Waka waka Africa! It is useless to compare soccer standard in India with Latin American, American, European, Arab and some small Asian countries. Reasons are obvious corruption, lack of facilities, lifting their own players without judging talent of the players ignoring country’s name for which they are assigned to strive for preparing the star players who can deliver the best performance, as a result talented, Impressive and excellent players get humiliated, demotivated and their soccer career get perished. Another reason for down fall of football is shifting of interest of youth towards cricket. Even corporate houses are pouring money in cricket game and on players. These players are earning in millions where as players of other games are kneeling down for their dues. Business houses should encourage other games as well; otherwise it is impossible to harness the potential of players for the good of nation.

  Football game was very popular in our area along with volley ball from the early stage. During trade time foot ball tournament was played among the different communities of johar valley in gyanima-mandi in Tibet. Later on johar munsiari students studying in almora, nainiatl and else where started participating in foot ball tournaments. They represented schools and colleges. They were very much visible in their respective sphere. A few of them studying in almora who were very visible in tournaments contemporary students can explain better about their performances,  decided to form johar club to encourage games and sports. It was a positive and futuristic approach. Among the founder members late manohar singh bamori-wale, my brother and rajendra singh saskhet-wale booth were from malla burfoo who themselves were star performers. Because of lack of proper ground in the initial stage volley ball tournament was started in different places, ultimately suitable ground was located and johar club foot ball and volley ball tournament began to get momentum year by year. Gradually other games and sports have been included and being conducted every year successfully. It is an unbelievable achievement since it is being organized without any government assistance in terms of technical and financial help. In order to make the event successful a lot of improvements and reforms are required, this can be done by discussions, deliberations and interactions to raise the standard of tournament and games, however, every year there is tremendous spirit and joy during the tournament among the local people.

  Recently I was discussing with my younger brother Dr. dev who himself is a good foot ball player as well as a great foot ball fan, his son abhay pratap represented his club last year which was held in Wales England. According to him what he experienced a small place munsiari has very powerful players though they are technically not so sound but their soccer life is hardly 4/5 years after that they are lost in the darkness of unknown world? Why? My observation is that today our youth hesitate to move beyond the bond, accept ½ exceptional cases. They need the help and encouragement to step in out of the bond. Unless they dare to shine beyond the zone, miracles can not be expected. However, organizing such a big program consistently in a small remote border area without any external assistant is a commendable job.

Devender