Days after protests were intensified by a section of outstanding athletes not selected in the recently released list under sports quota jobs, the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council in a clarification has justified the recruitment rules claiming that the appointments were governed by the statutory rules.
In a clarification issued by the J&K Sports Council through the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), stated that the appointment of Outstanding Sportspersons in the union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is governed entirely by statutory Rules and Government Orders framed from time to time by the Government after detailed examination, inter-departmental consultation, legal scrutiny and approval of the Competent Authority.
Taking a serious note of certain reports, allegations and misleading narratives circulated through various media platforms and social media regarding the recruitment of Outstanding Sportspersons under the Sports Quota, particularly in relation to the implementation of S.O. 12 of 2022 and the recognition of Pencak Silat and Kyaking-Canoeing (Dragon Boat) as an eligible sports discipline, the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council has said that it functions strictly as an implementing agency of Government policy and is required to discharge its responsibilities strictly in accordance with the Rules notified by the Government.
The policy has evolved over the years through various statutory notifications beginning with SRO-349 of 1998, subsequently amended through SRO-376 of 2004, followed by S.O. 149 of 2021 and thereafter comprehensively revised and consolidated through S.O. 12 of 2022, which was further supplemented by S.O. 412 of 2023, it read.
It further said that these Government Orders collectively provide a transparent legal framework governing the appointment of Outstanding Sportspersons in Government service.
“Every provision contained in these Rules has been notified by the Government after due administrative and legal process and is binding upon all authorities concerned,” it read and added it is incorrect to suggest that appointments under the Sports Quota are made on the basis of individual discretion or by the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council independently.
“The process of recruitment is institutional in nature and is carried out through a duly constituted High-Powered Selection Committee headed by the Chief Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir, with senior officers of various Government Departments such as Administrative Home, Administrative secretary Law, as its members,” claimed the Sports Council.
“Every application received under the Sports Quota is subjected to scrutiny of eligibility, verification of sports achievements and examination under the prescribed rules before being placed before the competent Selection Committee,” it read and stated that the decisions are taken collectively in accordance with the statutory provisions, leaving no scope for arbitrary or individual decision-making.
The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council however, reiterated that it remains fully committed to implementing Government policies in their true letter and spirit and every decision taken by the Council is guided by the statutory Rules, Government Orders and the decisions of the competent authorities.
The Sports Council also appealed to all media organizations, stakeholders and members of the public to rely upon authentic Government notifications, official records and verified information while reporting or commenting on matters relating to sports administration.
“The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council remains steadfast in its commitment to the promotion of sports, the welfare of athletes and the faithful implementation of the policies and decisions of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with law,” it read.
Notably, the final list of athletes selected under the sports quota policy vide notification No. 02-JK (YSS) of 2026 released on June 10 has triggered protests.
The Department of Youth Services and Sports had received a whopping over 200 objections from around 95 applicants and non-applicants after the publication of the provisional selection list in February this year.
