SRINAGAR: Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Dr. 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 ceremony was attended by senior officers of the J&K Sports Council, coaches, players and sports enthusiasts.
Addressing the players on the occasion, Dr. Shahid Iqbal congratulated the team and extended best wishes for the championship. He urged the players to perform with discipline, dedication and sporting spirit and make the Union Territory proud at the national stage.
The participation of the J&K team in the championship marks a significant achievement for Jammu and Kashmir football after the team was initially omitted from the official fixtures due to administrative issues arising from the absence of an elected football body in the Union Territory.
The issue was resolved following sustained efforts and intervention by Dr. Shahid Iqbal, who actively pursued the matter with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
He emphasised that the talented footballers of Jammu and Kashmir should not suffer due to delay in the conduct of elections of the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA).
The matter was also deliberated upon during the recently concluded Chintan Shivir in Srinagar, where Dr. Shahid Iqbal highlighted the need for uninterrupted participation of J&K players in national competitions.
The Commissioner Secretary urged the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to conduct elections of the JKFA within a limited timeframe as per Supreme Court guidelines and assured full support and cooperation from the J&K Sports Council.
Secretary J&K Sports Council Nuzhat Gul reiterated the commitment of the Sports Council towards the promotion and development of football in Jammu and Kashmir and assured continued support to players representing the Union Territory at various national platforms.
The U-20 squad has been selected through a transparent and merit-based trial process conducted across different districts of Jammu and Kashmir, while a residential coaching camp for the players has been underway in Srinagar since April 9, 2026.
