Bhaichung Bhutia offers training stint to Kashmiri youth Majid Khan who returned from terrorism
By Aishik Chanda | Express News Service | Published: 18th November 2017 02:24 PM |
Last Updated: 19th November 2017 12:33 PM | A+A A- |
Former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia (File|PTI)
KOLKATA: Veteran footballer and former Indian team captain Bhaichung Bhutia has offered to train surrendered Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant Majid Irshad Khan at the Delhi campus of his Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBF Schools).
Tweeting a news article on Anantnag footballer Majid’s return to mainstream responding to his mother’s call, Bhutia wrote on Saturday afternoon, “I felt concerned reading this news and hence I have spoken to the J&K Football Association President to reach out to him (Majid) and convey my offer that he can train with @BBFSchools in Delhi which will give him an opportunity at becoming a pro footballer. I hope #Majid accepts my offer.”
Retweeting Bhaichung’s tweet on the offer, the @BBFSchools twitter handle stated that they would love to have Majid train with them.
Speaking to the New Indian Express, Bhutia said that the offer would give a ‘second chance’ to Majid. “It is an opportunity for him to train and return to mainstream in this second chance. He might not have got that opportunity and platform in Kashmir. This opportunity will help him grow to be a professional player,” he said.
Responding to whether Bhaichung feels that Majid’s return to the mainstream will inspire many more Kashmiri militants to return home, he said: “Football is a sport that changes a lot of lives and has the potential to direct the young generation towards the right direction. So, why not return from militancy towards a new life?”
Bhutia said that after receiving his phone call and mail, the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association has promised to get in touch with Majid on the offer.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper of a local Anantnag football club was the star player of the state before he crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and picked up arms for Lashkar-e-Taiba to fight against Indian security forces.
Majid surrendered to security forces on Friday after an appeal from his mother through social media to give up arms and return home.
