Jammu and Kashmir defeats Puducherry in first Santosh Trophy match

Srinagar, May 25: Thirty years after it hosted the national football championship, the 62nd edition of the Santosh Trophy started in Jammu and Kashmir Sunday with the hosts scoring a 2-0 win over Puducherry in the inaugural match.Midfileder Adil Qadri gave the lead to his team in the 25th minute. Ten minutes later Bilal slotted home a penalty kick and gave a 2-0 cushion to the hosts. The second half went goalless. Earlier, Chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad inaugurated the championship at the Bakshi stadium here. The last time the state hosted the Santosh Trophy was way back in 1978, before the outbreak of separatist violence. This is the first major sporting event organised in the valley in two decades. The tournament was supposed to be held last year but some states refused to send their teams citing security reasons and the event was put off. Thirty-one states and union territories are competing in the tournament. The match venues are Bakshi stadium and Polo Grounds in Srinagar and the Maulana Azad stadium and G.M Science College in Jammu. In addition, six pitches have been developed for practice matches. Entry for spectators have been made free from May 25 to June 2, but from June 5 till the conclusion of the championship June 15, the entry would be through paid tickets. All the matches from the quarter-final stage would be telecast live by Zee Sports, the sponsors of the event. Bureau Report