Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council on Monday dismissed what it termed as “misleading” reports regarding recruitment of outstanding sportspersons under the Sports Quota and clarified that appointments are made strictly in accordance with statutory rules and government orders.
In a detailed clarification, the Council said recent reports and social media claims, particularly concerning the implementation of S.O. 12 of 2022 and the recognition of Pencak Silat and Kayaking & Canoeing (Dragon Boat) as eligible disciplines, had created confusion among sportspersons and the public, necessitating an official clarification.
The Council said sports quota appointments are governed by a series of statutory provisions, beginning with SRO-349 of 1998, followed by SRO-376 of 2004, S.O. 149 of 2021, S.O. 12 of 2022, and S.O. 412 of 2023. These government orders collectively prescribe recognised sports disciplines, eligibility criteria, assessment procedures and the institutional mechanism for recruitment.
It clarified that the Sports Council merely implements government policy and has no independent authority to make appointments. Recruitment, it said, is carried out through a High-Powered Selection Committee headed by the Chief Secretary and comprising senior officers from various departments, with every application undergoing scrutiny of eligibility and verification of sports achievements before consideration.
Addressing controversy over Pencak Silat, the Council said the discipline has enjoyed official recognition since the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports recognised the Indian Pencak Silat Federation in November 2017 following its inclusion in the 18th Asian Games at Jakarta. It said the sport is governed internationally by PERSILAT and features in events such as the Asian Games, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Southeast Asian Games, Asian Youth Games and World Championships.
The Council added that Pencak Silat is recognised for recruitment under the Government of India’s policy for meritorious sportspersons and is included in national competitions such as the National Games, Khelo India, All India Inter-University Championships and the All India Police Games.
In Jammu and Kashmir, it said Pencak Silat, along with baseball, netball, triathlon and ice hockey, was incorporated into the sports quota policy through S.O. 149 of 2021 and later included in S.O. 12 of 2022 and S.O. 412 of 2023. The Council also noted that the Indian Pencak Silat Federation has been registered with the J&K Sports Council since 2018.
Clarifying the eligibility of Pencak Silat achievements, the Council said the matter had already been examined through the prescribed legal process after the issue was referred to the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Based on legal opinion and the decision of the competent selection committee, it said, the issue stands settled.
It further pointed out that Pencak Silat has been included in recent recruitment notifications issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (2025), the Income Tax Department, Odisha (2026) and the Assam Rifles (2026), besides being recognised for recruitment in the Haryana Government.
On Kayaking & Canoeing, the Council clarified that Dragon Boat is a recognised event under the sport, citing communications from the Sports Authority of India, the Indian Olympic Association, the Government of India, the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association and the International Canoe Federation. It explained that kayaking and canoeing comprises multiple recognised disciplines, including canoe sprint, canoe polo, dragon boat, marathon, slalom, freestyle and ocean racing.
Drawing comparisons with sports such as gymnastics and fencing, the Council said several recognised disciplines consist of multiple events governed by their respective national and international federations.
Expressing concern over selective interpretation of government notifications, the Council said misinformation has the potential to undermine confidence in a transparent recruitment process and adversely affect genuine sportspersons who have dedicated years to their respective disciplines.
Reiterating its commitment to transparency, the Council said every decision is guided by statutory rules, government orders and decisions of the competent authorities. It added that it remains committed to strengthening sports infrastructure, promoting grassroots participation and ensuring fair, transparent and merit-based opportunities for athletes across all recognised disciplines.
The Council also urged media organisations, stakeholders and the public to rely only on authentic government notifications and verified information while reporting or commenting on sports administration matters, stating that fact-based public discourse strengthens institutions while misinformation creates unnecessary confusion.
