Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 15: Contradictions within the Jammu and Kashmir UT Government have surfaced over the selection of the football team for the 79th Santosh Trophy, as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah defended the selection process while Sports Minister Satish Sharma ordered a detailed inquiry into alleged irregularities.
On the sidelines of the Jammu Marathon logo launch at Hari Niwas, Omar Abdullah asserted, “If any player has been selected by influence, they should not have a place in the team. But all these players earned their spot based on talent, hard work, and purely merit. I don’t understand why everything is being politicized. Earlier, they politicized the admission process”-referring to SMVDIME-“when students clear medical entrance exams, now they are questioning players who have performed on the field and earned their place on merit.”
He emphasized that there should be absolutely no place for politics in education or sports, stressing that both sectors must remain free from political interference.
Meanwhile, Sports Minister Satish Sharma, through a social media statement, confirmed that the Government had taken cognizance of the issue and would conduct a time-bound, impartial inquiry. “Any violation of the merit-based selection policy will attract strict consequences,” he said, underscoring transparency and accountability.
Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Sharma added, “We have to be strict and cannot ignore merit in the selection process. We have constituted a committee and instructed the Commissioner Secretary Sports to submit a detailed report within two days. Anyone found involved will be taken to task.”
The controversy erupted after no player from Jammu province was included in the final squad, drawing sharp criticism from former footballers, clubs, sports bodies and political leaders, who called the process biased and unprecedented.
The differing statements from the Chief Minister and Sports Minister have left the public and sporting fraternity uncertain about the government’s position. While Omar Abdullah has publicly endorsed the selection process, Satish Sharma’s inquiry signals that the concerns raised will be thoroughly examined.
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