*Say ‘Khelo India’ program riddled with corruption in UT
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 27: The stakeholders of the J&K Football Association today alleged that the Khelo India program for Football in J&K is riddled with corruption and that the funds meant for the development of football were misused and transferred to the personal accounts of ex-JKFA officials and other well-wishers.
Addressing a press conference, three individuals—who are not a part of the J&K Football Association (JKFA), but went with the “stakeholders”—identified themselves as Bilal Ahmad Mir, Mushtaq Ahmad and Zahoor Ahmad Mir and talked about “scandals” surrounding the Mufti Memorial Football Tournament amounting to Rs 2.40 crore, Baby League Events Rs 27.50 lakh and Khelo India Football Program scams amounting to Rs 63 lakh.
They alleged that there is rampant corruption in football affairs in the UT while lauding the efforts of ACB for investigating the Biryani Scam in the Mufti Memorial Football Tournament case amounting to Rs 2.40 crore.
“The people are well aware of the previous office bearers of JKFA being involved in various fraudulent activities; the Mufti Memorial Tournament, which was supposed to be a platform to promote football in the UT, was instead used as a tool for embezzlement of funds. Millions of rupees were siphoned off from the tournament and the organizers pocketed the money meant for the development of football in J&K,” they alleged.
About the Football under the Khelo India program and the Baby League Event “scams,” they said that the same has caused a huge loss to the exchequer and deprived promising young footballers of the UT of the opportunity to showcase their talent on a national platform. “Despite the involvement of high-profile individuals in the scam, justice has not been fully served, and the culprits are still roaming free.”
They said that there is evidence that the program in Kashmir was riddled with corruption and the funds meant for the development of football “were misused and transferred into their personal accounts of Ex JKFA officials and the accounts of their well-wishers.”
“The proofs related to the scam have been already sent to the ACB. The corruption in football has damaged the sport and discouraged talented players from pursuing their dreams,” they added.
The stakeholders urged the authorities to take immediate action against the individuals involved in these scams and ensure that justice is served and demanded immediate steps to be taken to ensure transparency and accountability in football in J&K.
They said that the joint press conference of stakeholders from South Kashmir, North Kashmir and Central Kashmir marks a significant step forward in the fight against corruption in football affairs in J&K.
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