Srinagar, Sep 8,: Parents of young footballers participating in the ongoing J&K Under-14 Sub-Junior Boys selection trials have raised questions over the selection process, alleging that some players who were not part of the earlier shortlisted list were also being allowed to participate in the trials at the Synthetic Turf Football Stadium, TRC, Srinagar.
The two-day UT-level selection trials, which began on Monday, are concluding on Tuesday. The trials are being conducted to select the J&K Sub-Junior Boys Football Team for the AIFF National Football Championships 2026-27.
The J&K Sports Council had earlier conducted divisional-level trials from September 1 to 3. According to the selection process announced by the Council, shortlisted players were to participate in the UT-level trials at TRC Srinagar on September 7 and 8. A total of 52 players were shortlisted from the Kashmir Division for the next stage.
However, some parents present at the venue told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that players who had not participated in the earlier divisional trials, or had not been included among the shortlisted players, were also being allowed to take part in the ongoing selection process.
“The trials should be conducted fairly and according to the notified procedure. If players who were not shortlisted are being allowed to participate at this stage, the Sports Council should clearly explain the criteria,” parents said.
Another parent said the issue was not about opposing the participation of any particular child, but about ensuring that all eligible players were subjected to the same selection process.
“We want a fair opportunity for every child. If someone was not part of the earlier trials, there should be a clear explanation on what basis that player has been allowed to appear in the final trials,” the parent said.
The parents demanded that the Sports Council ensure transparency in the final selection and disclose the criteria being followed by the selection committee.
The Sports Council’s earlier announcement had stated that boys born between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2014 were eligible for the Sub-Junior Boys category, while candidates were required to be residents of Jammu and Kashmir and carry specified documents, including their original birth certificates.
The divisional trials had assessed players on technical skills, tactical understanding, physical fitness, game awareness and performance under match conditions before shortlisted players were moved to the UT-level stage.
The parents have sought clarification from the Sports Council on whether any additional players have been permitted to participate in the concluding-stage trials and, if so, under what criteria. [KNT]
