Bhaichung Bhutia offers to train Kashmiri footballer Majid Khan, who surrendered after joining LeT

Majid Khan is a Kashmiri footballer who had joined Lashkar-e-Taiba a week ago, only to return home and surrender after repeated pleas from family and friends.

IANS  | Posted by Abreshmina S Quadri
November 18, 2017 | UPDATED 17:32 IST
(AIFF photo)(AIFF photo)

Highlights

  • 1
    Majid Khan is a Kashmiri footballer who has joined LeT a week ago
  • 2
    He returned home and surrendered after repeated pleas from family and friends
  • 3
    Bhaichung Bhutia has offered training to Majid at his football school in New Delhi

Former Indian Captain Bhaichung Bhutia has written to the Jammu and Kashmir Football Federation offering a training stint to Kashmiri youth Majid Khan, a footballer who recently returned home after quitting the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

"I was very sad to read reports of Majid joining a terrorist organisation. Football has provided solace to many over the years and I felt he requires a platform to play the 'Beautiful game,' again," Bhutia, the only Indian player to have played over 100 international matches, said on Saturday in a statement released by All India Football Federation (AIFF).

"I have already touched base with the J&K Football Association offering him to train with Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools in Delhi. I want him to train under my coaches and then we can decide where he stands as a player. I believe he deserves an opportunity and hence, felt best to open the doors for him," Bhutia added.

Majid's mother Ashiya Begum had made emotional pleas on social media asking her son to come back home after she heard that Majid had joined terrorist ranks, a plea which forced Majid return back home.

"I also read that he has been a promising footballer since his childhood and has even won quite many trophies," the 40-year-old Padmashree awardee explained.

"Once you start kicking the ball again, you never know, your lives may just kick-off again. We want Majid to come back to normal life at the earliest."

Majid, who had recently joined Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), surrendered before the First Rashtriya Rifles and is currently under the custody of Victor Force in Awantipora.

The Anantnag's footballer reportedly surrendered after his parents' appeal.

Even the top police officer of Jammu and Kashmir appealed Majid to surrender and once again join the mainstream.

On Thursday, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Munir Khan told, "A very serious counselling campaign is going on in Kashmir to discourage youth to join militancy and we will get positive results in near future. It is our sincere endeavour to ensure that these misguided youth come and join the mainstream."

He also informed the media that the government is preparing a new surrender policy for local Kashmiri militants.