Jammu: The controversy surrounding Jammu and Kashmir’s sports quota recruitment has intensified, with athletes from Olympic and Asian Games disciplines demanding an independent inquiry into the recently announced selection list of outstanding sportspersons appointed to government posts.
The issue gained momentum following a silent protest organized by the Sports Cell of Pradesh Youth Congress (PYC), J&K, at Maharaja Hari Singh Statue near Tawi Bridge on June 16. Protesters alleged irregularities in the recruitment process and questioned the inclusion of candidates from certain non-Olympic disciplines, claiming that genuine athletes had been deprived of opportunities.
The latest controversy centres around allegations that among the selected candidates are the son of a senior IAS officer, the daughter of a JKAS woman officer, and two sports managers who, according to protesting athletes, were associated with sports bodies facing allegations of irregularities. Protesters have demanded that all selections be subjected to an independent verification process to ensure fairness and transparency.
The IAS officer’s son got gazatted rank and woman JKAS officer,associated with JK Sports, managed job for her daughter in SKUAST.
The demonstration, led by Sports Cell Chairman Ranjodh Singh, witnessed participation from athletes and youth associated with various Olympic and Asian Games disciplines. Participants carried placards and staged a silent protest, demanding transparency in sports recruitment policies and verification of the credentials of all beneficiaries.
Addressing the media, Ranjodh Singh said the protest was intentionally organized as a “silent protest” because repeated representations and appeals by sportspersons had allegedly failed to attract the attention of the authorities.
He claimed that athletes competing in Olympic and Asian Games disciplines had repeatedly highlighted their concerns but had not received a satisfactory response. According to him, recruitment benefits were being extended to certain disciplines that do not feature in major international competitions such as the Olympic Games and several other elite sporting events.
Singh specifically questioned the inclusion of disciplines such as Pencak Silat and other non-Olympic sports in the recruitment process, alleging that this had adversely affected deserving athletes who had competed in internationally recognized events. He argued that such practices could discourage young athletes from pursuing Olympic and Asian Games disciplines in the future.
Responding to media queries, Singh emphasized that sports quota appointments should be granted only after thorough verification of sports achievements and supporting documents. He stated that athletes who qualify for elite competitions invest years of dedication and training, and therefore recruitment benefits must be based on strict scrutiny of credentials.
The protesters further alleged irregularities in the functioning of certain sports associations and sought a review of appointments and recognition granted to some non-Olympic disciplines. They demanded an independent verification of sports records, certificates, associations and recruitment procedures, asserting that only a transparent probe could restore confidence among genuine sportspersons.
According to the protesters, many of the issues stem from sports recruitment provisions implemented in 2021. They called for a comprehensive review of the existing framework, exclusion of non-Olympic and non-Asian Games disciplines from recruitment benefits, and publication of a revised merit list after proper verification.
The controversy comes shortly after the Government notified the final selection list of 223 outstanding sportspersons for gazetted and non-gazetted posts under the sports quota. While the Government has maintained that the selections were finalized after examining objections and verifying documents, dissatisfied athletes continue to raise concerns over the process.
Amid growing resentment within sections of the sporting community, organizers have announced a fresh protest at MA Stadium, Jammu, today. Athletes have vowed to continue their campaign until an independent inquiry is ordered and all allegations related to the recruitment process are thoroughly examined.
Key demands raised by protesters includes
independent inquiry into sports quota recruitment,verification of sports certificates and achievements of all selected candidates,scrutiny of recognized sports associations and their functioning,review of appointments made under disputed disciplines, exclusion of non-Olympic and non-Asian Games disciplines from recruitment benefits and
publication of a revised merit list after comprehensive verification and greater transparency and accountability in future sports quota recruitments.
With more athletes expected to join the movement, the issue is likely to remain at the centre of public and political debate in the coming days.
