Convener News Desk
Bandipora, Jan 24: Prominent national-level footballer, Brazilian-certified coach and District In-charge of the J&K Sports Council Academy in Bandipora, Tahir Beigh, has raised serious concerns over the growing number of unauthorised and fake sports academies operating in the district, allegedly exploiting young athletes and their families.
In a post on social media, Beigh said that while several individuals in Bandipora are engaged in sports-related activities, many so-called academies claiming to train children, lack authenticity and official recognition.
He warned that such setups are misleading parents and players by charging hefty sums in the name of training, medals and exposure.
Beigh pointed out that there are many international medalists who are still not properly recognized.
He stressed that in Jammu and Kashmir, only two bodies are officially authorised to regulate and promote sports activities—the Department of Youth Services and Sports (YSS) and the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council.
“From the zonal level to the international level, genuine players are provided support for travel, kits, refreshments and medical facilities through these authorities,” Beigh noted, adding that any academy operating outside this framework should be viewed with caution.
Expressing concern over the exploitation of children, he alleged that youngsters in Bandipora have been charged large amounts of money in the name of fake medals and even dubious ‘international’ events.
He said that politicisation of sports has allowed such practices to continue unchecked, discouraging victims from speaking out.
Issuing a strong appeal, Beigh urged parents and players to verify the credentials of coaches and ensure that academies are officially registered with the J&K Sports Council before enrolling. “Do not ruin your future by being attracted to fake medals,” he cautioned.
The statement has sparked discussion among sports circles in the district, with calls growing for stricter monitoring of private academies to safeguard the interests of young athletes.
Comments are closed.