Srinagar, May 6: Jammu and Kashmir’s Under-20 football team has been cleared to participate in the upcoming Swami Vivekananda National Football Championship after earlier being left out of the official fixtures due to administrative issues, officials said.
The development follows intervention by Shahid Iqbal Choudhary and support from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, which facilitated the team’s inclusion in the national competition.
Officials said the exclusion had occurred in the absence of an elected body governing football in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite this, the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council had been coordinating with stakeholders to ensure participation of teams in national events.
The issue was discussed during a meeting held on the sidelines of a recent Chintan Shivir in Srinagar, where officials reviewed plans for football development, including leagues and grassroots initiatives. During the discussions, authorities emphasized that the absence of elections for the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association should not prevent players from competing at the national level.
The All India Football Federation had earlier authorised the Sports Council to facilitate participation of J&K teams and had constituted an ad-hoc committee to oversee football affairs in the region and expedite elections. Officials said the council has urged concerned authorities to ensure the committee undertakes visits and completes the election process.
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya was also acknowledged by the Sports Council for support in resolving the matter.
Officials added that since 2022, teams from Jammu and Kashmir participating in national football championships have been sponsored by the Sports Council. The current U-20 squad was selected through trials conducted across the region, followed by a residential coaching camp in Srinagar from April 9.
Secretary Sports Council Nuzhat Gul said the council remains committed to supporting football development and ensuring opportunities for players.
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