Srinagar, May 10: J&K Youth Services Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary on Sunday defended U-20 football team selection, urging against politicising sports at young athletes’ expense.
Speaking to reporters after flagging off the J&K U-20 Football Team from TRC Football Ground, Srinagar, for participation in the prestigious Swami Vivekananda U-20 National Football Championship, Shahid said the team was selected through a completely fair and transparent process conducted by the J&K Sports Council.
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“Our football team is going to play nationals, and the camps and training were organised professionally by the Sports Council. The selection process was fair and transparent, and children from different districts of Jammu and Kashmir were selected purely on merit,” he said.
He added that several players in the squad had already represented at international levels and expressed confidence that the team would make Jammu and Kashmir proud.
Addressing the recent controversy over the participation of the J&K football team in the national championship, Shahid alleged that misinformation was being deliberately spread by vested interests to create confusion and obstruct youth participation in sports activities.
He clarified that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had officially authorised the J&K Sports Council in September 2023 to oversee football-related activities in the Union Territory, including selections, coaching, training camps and management of competitions, until proper elections of the Football Association are conducted.
“The Sports Council is presently the only authorised body for football selections in J&K. Despite this, some people are trying to mislead authorities and create hurdles so that children are prevented from participating in national competitions. This is unfortunate,” he said.
Shahid further said that an ad-hoc committee headed by Justice Gambhir was constituted in July 2025 to oversee football elections and related matters in J&K, but the election process has not yet been initiated, due to which the Sports Council continues to remain the authorised body.
He criticised attempts by certain individuals to claim control over sports bodies without establishing proper grassroots democratic structures. “Sports associations work through a pyramid structure from block and district levels upwards. Some people only want control at the top without building democratic structures below. We will not allow that,” he remarked.
Expressing concern over controversies surrounding youth sports, Shahid said conflicting narratives regarding the J&K football team’s participation had created anxiety among parents and disappointment among players.
“One day, news is circulated that the team has been dropped, another day it is claimed that someone got the team restored. This creates anxiety among parents and disappointment among players who have worked hard for months,” he said.
He revealed that after initial confusion regarding the team’s participation, the matter was immediately taken up with the AIFF on April 24, following which the issue was officially resolved and the team’s participation was cleared.
Shahid also warned against misinformation campaigns and anonymous social media attacks aimed at damaging the sports ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Some people are using social media pages and anonymous campaigns to spread negativity and pressure officials. We will not be intimidated. Legal course of action will be taken wherever required,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s broader vision for sports development in J&K, Shahid said efforts were focused on talent identification, organisation of leagues and tournaments, and creation of sports infrastructure across districts.
He said several infrastructure projects had already been initiated in districts including Anantnag, Ganderbal, Shopian and Srinagar, while more national and international-standard facilities were being planned across the Union Territory.
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“We are working on football leagues, volleyball leagues, kabaddi and cricket tournaments across all regions. Every district and every block will be covered under the annual sports calendar,” he added.
Appealing to media organisations to report responsibly, Shahid urged journalists to verify facts from official sources before publishing sensitive reports affecting young athletes.
“The media is the fourth pillar of democracy, and we respect its role. But before running such sensitive reports, facts must be verified by us. We are available round the clock, and transparency is our commitment,” he said.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to fair and independent elections in sports federations, Shahid assured that deserving athletes from Jammu and Kashmir would continue to receive opportunities at national and international platforms.
“Our only objective is to strengthen sports culture and protect the interests of youth. Children should be allowed to play and grow without politics and vested interests interfering in their future,” he added. (JKNS)
