JAMMU: Jammu, the City of Temples, is gearing up for a high-octane sporting season as the Department of Youth Services and Sports (YSS), in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council (JKSC), prepares to roll out two marquee events – the YSS-JKSC Football Premier League and the YSS-JKSC Cricket League – promising double the thrill, double the crowds and a renewed buzz around grassroots sport in the winter capital.
Set across two iconic venues, the leagues will bring together the roar of football fans at the Synthetic Turf Football Ground, Parade and the unmistakable sound of the willow at the M A Stadium, as Jammu readies itself for weeks of competitive action.
“The YSS-JKSC Cricket and Football Premier League Tournaments 2025-26 are a much-needed initiative to significantly contribute towards the revival of Jammu’s professional cricket and football tournaments,” a spokesperson of the J&K Sports Council said.
The YSS-JKSC Football Premier League, slated for the Synthetic Turf at Parade, marks the return of the beautiful game to the heart of the city.
With the turf primed and floodlights waiting, the league is expected to showcase sharp tackles, long-range screamers and an atmosphere that only football in Jammu can generate.
According to the JKSC spokesperson, organising committees and additional sub-committees comprising former national and international players, referees, umpires, coaches, club owners and JKSC officials have been constituted to ensure that the matches are conducted professionally.
Running parallel will be the YSS-JKSC Cricket League at the historic M A Stadium, signalling the comeback of big-league cricket at one of Jammu’s most cherished sporting venues.
As the pitch is curated and teams begin their preparations, anticipation is building over who will lift the cup when the league gets underway.
“The competition will consist of a total of 41 matches in football and 39 matches in cricket, with the final format and match composition to be framed after the finalisation of the participating teams,” the spokesperson said, adding that every match would be played strictly in accordance with FIFA and AIFF rules in football and ICC and BCCI regulations in cricket.
Emphasising the focus on local talent, the spokesperson said that, after scrutiny by the Technical and Registration Committees, only permanent resident players from the Jammu Division would be permitted to participate in the tournaments.
“However, in cricket, there will be a cap of five out-stationed players per team. The objective is to give players from the Jammu Division ample opportunities to participate in a competitive competition,” he said.
The spokesperson said that the Mini Stadium Parade had been made available for football matches, while the M A Stadium would host the cricket league.
“To give the event more significance, grand opening and closing ceremonies will be arranged. Matches will also be conducted under floodlights to attract maximum sports enthusiasts, and these matches will be telecast live on social media platforms,” he said.
To ensure high professional standards, AIFF-accredited referees and BCCI-certified umpires would officiate the matches, the spokesperson said, adding that the JKSC would provide match-day refreshments through its approved EMAs and would also arrange trophies, mementoes, medallions, branding, stationery and medical facilities on the closing day of the tournaments.
“It is anticipated that large audiences will return to the stands of the Mini Stadium Synthetic Turf Parade and the M A Stadium Jammu to witness these high-profile matches,” the spokesperson said. “This platform will provide aspiring sportspersons in Jammu with the opportunity to exhibit their talent and achieve podium finishes at the national and international levels.”
With two venues, two formats and one city buzzing with expectation, the twin leagues are being seen as a significant boost for athletes and fans alike, signalling a renewed push to bring competitive sport back into Jammu’s public spaces.
