Amidst the controversy sparked over Santosh Trophy selection trials, the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council while clearing the dust have clarified that set criteria was followed in the selection trials and there was no regional discrimination at all.
Notably, controversy has erupted in the selection of Jammu and Kashmir football team for the prestigious Santosh Trophy wherein it has been alleged that no single player from Jammu was selected into the squad.
“J&K Sports Council for the last three years is taking care of football affairs in absence of J&K Football Association (JKFA), which does not exist due to non conduct of the elections,” Majid Yousuf, Executive Officer, J&K Sports Council here told UNI.
He said that likewise many associations, JKFA has also not held their elections due to the ongoing dispute, so, J&K Sports Council for the last three years is conducting all the football activities and sending teams for participation in the national competitions in the interest of the players, adding, “as far as Santosh Trophy is concerned, all laid norms were followed and the selection was purely on merit basis.”
Yousuf said, “Notification inviting players for open selection trials was issued on November 12, 2025 for both Jammu and Kashmir divisions.”
“Entire set procedure was followed and accordingly, from November 15 to 17, divisional level trials were conducted at Srinagar and Jammu to shortlist the players for the UT level trials,” he said adding that 194 footballers from Kashmir and 74 footballers from Jammu took part in the trails out of which 51 players were selected for UT level trails at Jammu that were held November 18 to 20.
“Thereafter 34 players were selected for the coaching camp which started from November 21 and culminated on December 12 at Jammu.
“Lastly, 20 players and three standby players were included in the final list in which four players were from Jammu. The team departed to Mahilpur on December 13 after proper screening of the team,” he said.
“As I-League competition was not held this year, the competition was very tough but the selectors from both respective divisions did justice and selected the best team to represent J&K UT team in the Santosh Trophy without any regional discrimination,” said the Executive Officer.
Refuting the allegations of regional bias of ignoring Jammu footballers into the squad, Yousuf said, “the selection was fair and being the government body, J&K Sports Council is ready to provide all the fact based details with transparency to the government.”
“We need to rise above politics and controversies to address the issues in the betterment of football,” he suggested.
Sharing details further, he said that Kashmir is a hub of football and a lot of activities being organised but on the other hand, football in Jammu is gradually losing its sheen.
“It is unfortunate that clubs in Jammu are not holding the frequent activities and not regularly participating in the various competitions to encourage the young talent,” said Majid Yousuf.
All representatives, stakeholders, club members must collectively come forward keeping aside their personal scores for the welfare of the football and Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council is ready to provide all facilities and sponsorship to nurture the deserving talent, he opined.
After receiving directives from J&K Sports Minister, Sports Council conducted majority of the coaching camps in Jammu from last year, he claimed.
“Just before a week, J&K girls team participated in the National Football Championship at Nagaland in which 14 girls were from Jammu and only six from Kashmir, that again demonstrates the fair and transparent selection procedure being adopted by the council that is purely based on the merit,” Majid, who himself is a former footballer, added.
However, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah while backing the selection trials said that all players were selected on the basis of talent and advised people especially the politicians, not to make politics a part of sports and education.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Sports Minister Satish Sharma has also framed the committee and assured fair probe into the matter in a time bound manner.
Several social and political outfits including the BJP have expressed resentment over the selection trials and also slammed the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the president of the J&K Sports Council stating that the National Conference government continues to repeatedly hurt the sentiments of the youth of Jammu through biased and discriminatory policies.
