* 74 players from 115 clubs of Jammu province overlooked
Ranjit Thakur
JAMMU, Dec 14: A major controversy has erupted in Jammu over the selection of Jammu and Kashmir football team for the prestigious Santosh Trophy, after not a single player from Jammu province was included in the final playing squad. The decision has triggered widespread resentment among former footballers, club officials, sports bodies and political leaders, who have termed the process biased, non-transparent and historically unprecedented.
According to former players, around 115 football clubs are currently functioning in Jammu province, producing a large pool of talent every year. For the Santosh Trophy trials, 74 players from Jammu were shortlisted and participated in the selection process. However, when the final 20-member team was announced, none of the Jammu-based players figured in the main squad, sparking allegations of regional discrimination.
Former footballer Charanpreet Bagga expressed deep disappointment over the outcome. “It is extremely painful to accept that from 74 players who attended trials from Jammu, not even one could make it to the final team. This has never happened in the history of J&K football. It raises serious questions about the credibility of the selection process,” Bagga said. He further alleged that the selection was influenced and claimed that the lone player projected as being from Jammu was actually playing (AG’s office) in Kashmir.
Bagga also questioned the manner in which the team was announced. “The final list was declared in the morning, selected players were informed through messages and the team was flagged off for Punjab on the same day. What was the urgency? Such haste further deepens suspicion about transparency,” he added.
Echoing similar concerns, Rakesh Khanna, former footballer and President of Pt Prem Nath Dogra Football Club, said Jammu football has been facing systematic neglect for decades. “Thirty years ago, Jammu was considered a hub of football and produced several national and international players. What happened this year in the Santosh Trophy selection has never occurred before. The footballing talent of Jammu has been deliberately ignored,” Khanna said. He urged local football clubs to organize regular tournaments and collectively press the Government to provide better facilities and fair opportunities.
The controversy soon took a political turn; with BJP spokesperson Rajni Sethi strongly condemning what she termed an illegal and discriminatory selection process. She described the trials as unfair and non-transparent and demanded the immediate resignation of Sports Minister Satish Sharma. Sethi also called for a high-level, impartial inquiry, alleging that merit-based norms were ignored and that the youth of Jammu had been unfairly sidelined.
Political and social activist Jayesh Gupta also raised serious objections, stating that the Santosh Trophy is not merely a sporting event but a gateway to future opportunities, including Government jobs under sports quotas. “Excluding Jammu players from the team effectively shuts the door on their sporting careers and employment prospects. The authorities must make the selection criteria and trial records public and order an independent inquiry to restore faith among young players,” Gupta said.
However, the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council (JKSC) has rejected the allegations. A senior official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that claims circulating on social media were misleading. “Jammu-based players were given sufficient playing time during trials and the coaching camp that commenced on November 21. Eight players from Jammu were initially selected for the coaching camp. Due to the absence of the I-League this season, all professional players were available, leading to intense competition,” the official stated. He added that one Jammu-based player was included in the final list and three others were placed on the standby list, while three Jammu players playing outside J&K did not attend the trials. “The selection was conducted fairly and strictly on merit,” he asserted.
The selected Santosh Trophy squad includes Nirdosh Sagotra, Furkhan Ahmed Dar, Shahid Nazir, Zubair Ahad Akhoon, Mohammad Sajid Dhot, Aakif Javaid, Basit Ahmed Bhat, Hyder Yousuf, Urfan Hamid, Shahmeer Tariq, Talib Nazir, Mohammad Inam, Shakir Ahmed Sheikh, Adnan Ayoub, Sahil Khurshid, Asrar Rehbar, Waris Amin, Ahteeb Ahmed Dar, Ikhlaq Fayaz Bhat and Hayat Bashir. The standby players are Aditya Mahajan, Aryan Gupta and Rishab Dogra.
The selection committee was headed by Head Coach Ishfaq Ahmed, with Javed Ahmad as manager, Ricky Kumar as selector and Dr JD Singh as physiotherapist. Rameez Malik, coach of KI Jammu, assisted during the trials, which were held under the supervision of senior officials of the J&K Sports Council.
Despite official clarifications, discontent continues to simmer in Jammu’s football circles, with growing demands for transparency, accountability and a fair review of the Santosh Trophy selection process.
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