Clearly eyeing to connect more number of sports frenzy youths of the State with the party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is all set to organise a football league comprising 20 districts of Jharkhand. The State-level tournament, probably first of its kind by a political party in the country, has been named as ‘JMM Premier league’ or JPl.
Teams from all the districts except Palamau, Garhwa, Khunti and Dhanbad would lock horns for 10 days starting from October 8. Interestingly, all the 13 matches of the tournament would be played at Outdoor Stadium of Dumka, the Santhal Pargana’s heartland that has traditionally been stronghold of the Shibu Soren-led party. The party in the poll year is banking on a decent show in the region to continue in power 2015 afterwards.
“It is obvious that a political party would do anything keeping in mind the politics. But I want to make it clear that cultural and social activities have been part of the party’s programmes and the JPl is also a part of the larger politics. Through the tournament we would also present a national and international platform to the football talents of the State and also link this with employment by recommending the players for direct recruitment in the Government jobs,” said JMM general secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya on Tuesday.
Performances in the tournament would play a crucial role in the selection of State football team which would represent Jharkhand at national level. Selection of the players in all the 20 teams has been done by organising rigorous camps at district level in which, the party claimed, several national and even international level players have been picked.
Worth mentioning here that providing jobs for deserving sportspersons have been a major issue in the State even though the Sports Policy of the State Government outlines this. When asked, the general secretary sounded affirmative on the matter. “The party would pressurise the State Government for direct induction of sportspersons into Government jobs. The JPl is one step in that direction through which the sports talent would be encouraged by linking games and employment with each other.”
The party traditionally has been considered not much popular among younger generation which constitutes about 30 per cent of the voters enrolled. Though to correct the image it has metamorphosed itself in the recent times. launch of a communicative website and organising sports tournaments like JPl; similar for hockey, women football and archery are in pipelines; are aimed to back the youngest Chief Minister of the State.
The tournament has been supported by Jharkhand Football Association which is affiliated with Indian Football Association; the national level governing body of the game which is quite popular in rural areas of Jharkhand. JMM chief Shibu Soren would inaugurate the football league while the Chief Minister on October 18 would preside over the concluding ceremony. Ministers and MlAs of the party have been told to present at Dumka during the tournament.