Ranjit Thakur
JAMMU, Jan 4: After the recent Santosh Trophy controversy, another selection-related dispute has surfaced in the sports arena, this time involving cricket. Strong resentment has erupted over the selection of the Under-14 boys’ cricket team for the 69th National School Games, with parents and sports enthusiasts raising serious concerns over regional representation, transparency and fairness in the selection process.
The controversy stems from the composition of the selected squad, in which, out of the 16 players named in the main list, only three players from the Jammu region were selected, while just one Jammu-based player figures among the seven standby players. Even more striking, officials allege that Jammu district was completely ignored during the selection process.
The 69th National School Games (U-14 Boys Cricket Championship) for the 2025-26 season is scheduled to be held at Sikar, Rajasthan, from January 19 to 23. The decision has triggered widespread resentment among people of Jammu after some social media portals highlighted the issue, with many describing the selection as biased and non-transparent.
According to the selection list that surfaced on social media, the trials for the team were held in Budgam during the first week of November 2025. Following these trials, the District Youth Services and Sports Office, Budgam, announced the final list of selected players.
The main squad includes Mohd Ibraheem Bhat (Srinagar), Simnan Tariq (Anantnag), Jasim Shabir (Kulgam), Rehan Abbas Malik (Ganderbal), Musadiq Younis (Pulwama), Aaqib Nabi Dar (Baramulla), Asif Rehman Rashi (Kulgam), Haris-bin-Rehman (Anantnag), Sahil Fareed (Ramban), Rehan Hilal (Ganderbal), Sharib Showkat (Kulgam), Faisal Amin (Anantnag), Mohd Hubaish (Srinagar), Mohd Mudrik Beigh (Baramulla), Mohd Usman (Poonch), and Prakul Dev Singh (Udhampur).
The standby list features Vir Vikram Singh Jamwal (Samba), Furqaan Yousuf (Kulgam), Ridwan Bilal (Shopian), Aadil Shafi (Shopian), Mohd Maqbool Bhat (Anantnag), Gowher Bashir (Ganderbal), and Muzamil Farooq (Baramulla).
While the official list reflects participation from various districts across Jammu and Kashmir, parents of aspiring cricketers from the Jammu region have alleged serious irregularities in the conduct of trials and have demanded a proper and independent inquiry into the entire selection process.
One of the parents, speaking to EXCELSIOR on anonymity, alleged that the trials were poorly managed and lacked even basic facilities. “The complete selection process was a mess as there was no proper staying accommodation, no proper food arrangements for players and we were informed about the trials at the last moment,” the parent said, expressing frustration over what was described as administrative negligence.
Raising more serious allegations, another parent claimed that the competition itself was unfair. “The trials were completely motivated and impartial as under-14 boys of the Jammu region were playing against Kashmir province boys who were allegedly over-aged, had beards, and were as tall as six feet,” the parent said, questioning how such players were even allowed to participate in an age-restricted tournament.
Echoing similar concerns, another parent alleged that the age disparity was obvious on the field. “There was no fair competition as under-14-year boys were playing against boys above their age. We raised the alarm at that moment and even informed the organizers that Jammu boys were playing against over-aged players, but no one took us seriously,” the parent said.
Even some officials associated with the trials have voiced discomfort over the process. One Youth Services and Sports official from Jammu, who was part of the trials and spoke on the condition of anonymity, “I protested during the trials about the unfairness, as Kashmir province boys were above their age and playing with U-14 boys. Despite that, some Jammu boys played their hearts out, scored runs, and showed grit.”
Responding to the allegations, Director General, Youth Services and Sports, Jammu and Kashmir, Anuradha Gupta, told EXCELSIOR that the matter had already been examined earlier. “This matter came to me around two months back after a student raised objections on social media about ‘over-age’ boys during the trials. Immediately after that, we conducted bone tests of players and found the selection process fair,” she said.
Expressing surprise over the renewed controversy, she added, “I am shocked why, after two months, the matter has come to light again, but we will clear the whole picture with complete facts.” She further informed that the selected team is scheduled to leave for Rajasthan on January 16.
Gupta also clarified that selectors from both regions were involved in the process. “During the selection process, we had a poll of selectors from both regions who conducted the selection trials,” she said.
Excelsior also tried contacting Sports Minister Satish Sharma by phone, but he did not pick the calls.
Pertinently, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir had earlier come under sharp criticism following the Santosh Trophy football selection controversy, which forced the government to set up an inquiry commission to examine allegations of regional bias. That inquiry is still ongoing, making the current cricket selection controversy all the more sensitive and politically charged.
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