Jammu Kashmir: Govt Orders Probe into Santosh Trophy Team Selection | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered a formal enquiry into the selection process of the JK football team for participation in the 79th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy 2025.

A major controversy was 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.

As per Government Order No. 50-JK(YSS) of 2025 dated 17 December 2025, issued by the Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Youth Services and Sports Department, an Enquiry Committee has been constituted to conduct a detailed and time-bound probe into the selection process and ascertain the factual position

The committee will be headed by Anuradha Gupta, JKAS, Director General, Youth Services and Sports, JK. Other members include Mansoor Aslam Chowdhary, Special Secretary to Government, Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs; Manoj Prabhakar, Joint Controller, Legal Metrology Department; Megha Bougia, Deputy Director Planning/Activities, Directorate of Youth Services and Sports; Satpaul Singh, former Divisional Sports Officer and Ex-Chief Coach; and Bilal Rasool Parray, Physical Education Teacher, District Budgam.

In addition, the Director General, Youth Services and Sports has been authorised to co-opt two former National-level footballers, one each from the Kashmir and Jammu regions, into the committee.

According to the government order, the committee has been tasked to thoroughly examine the procedure followed in the selection of the team, submit its recommendations based on findings, and file a report within seven days.

The order further states that inputs and comments from the general public will be invited, with the committee scheduled to hold meetings on three notified days each in Jammu and Srinagar to facilitate public participation.

Pertinently, the Jammu Kashmir football team began their campaign at the 79th NFC Santosh Trophy 2025 with an impressive 3-0 victory over Ladakh in the first qualifier at Mahilpur, Punjab.

Next, JK will face Himachal Pradesh on December 17 in their second qualifier, followed by a crucial match against the host team Punjab on December 19. (KDC)