SRINAGAR, MAY 10: Shahid Iqbal Choudhary on Saturday flagged off the Jammu and Kashmir U-20 Football team from the TRC Football Ground, Srinagar, for participation in the prestigious Swami Vivekananda U-20 National Football Championship.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by senior officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, coaches, players and sports enthusiasts.
Addressing the players, Dr. Shahid Iqbal congratulated the team and extended his best wishes for the championship. He urged the players to compete with discipline, dedication and true sporting spirit while making the Union Territory proud at the national level.
The participation of the J&K team in the championship marks a significant achievement for football in Jammu and Kashmir, especially after the team was initially omitted from the official fixtures due to administrative issues linked to the absence of an elected football body in the Union Territory.
The issue was later resolved following sustained efforts and intervention by Dr. Shahid Iqbal, who pursued the matter with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. He emphasised that talented footballers from Jammu and Kashmir should not suffer due to delays in the conduct of elections for the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association.
The matter was also discussed during the recently concluded Chintan Shivir in Srinagar, where the Commissioner Secretary stressed the importance of uninterrupted participation of J&K players in national-level competitions.
Dr. Shahid Iqbal also urged the All India Football Federation to conduct elections for the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association within a limited timeframe in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines and assured full support from the J&K Sports Council.
Secretary, J&K Sports Council Nuzhat Gul reiterated the council’s commitment towards the promotion and development of football in Jammu and Kashmir and assured continued support to players representing the Union Territory at national platforms.
The U-20 squad was selected through a transparent and merit-based trial process conducted across various districts of Jammu and Kashmir, while a residential coaching camp for the players has been underway in Srinagar since April 9, 2026.
