Amid Quota Row, J&K Sports Council Defends Recruitment Process, Cites Statutory Rules

Jammu, July 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council on Monday defended the recruitment process for appointments under the sports quota, asserting that the selection of outstanding sportspersons is governed strictly by statutory rules and government orders, days after protests intensified over the recently published selection list.

In a clarification issued through the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), the Council said appointments of outstanding sportspersons in the Union Territory are made entirely in accordance with rules and government notifications framed after detailed administrative, legal and inter-departmental consultations, and approved by the competent authority.

The clarification came in response to allegations and reports circulating on media and social media questioning the implementation of S.O. 12 of 2022, particularly regarding the inclusion of Pencak Silat and Kayaking-Canoeing (Dragon Boat) among eligible sports disciplines.

The Sports Council said it functions only as an implementing agency of government policy and has no discretionary powers in the recruitment process. It added that the policy has evolved through successive notifications, 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, which together provide the legal framework for sports quota appointments.

Rejecting claims of arbitrary selection, the Council said the recruitment process is institutional and is carried out by a High-Powered Selection Committee headed by the Chief Secretary, with senior administrative and legal officers as members. Every application, it said, undergoes scrutiny of eligibility, verification of sports achievements and examination under the prescribed rules before being placed before the committee.

Reiterating its commitment to transparency, the Council urged media organisations and stakeholders to rely on official government notifications and verified information while reporting on sports administration.

The clarification comes after the final selection list issued on June 10 under Notification No. 02-JK (YSS) of 2026 sparked protests by a section of athletes. Earlier, the Department of Youth Services and Sports had received over 200 objections from around 95 applicants and non-applicants following the publication of the provisional selection list in February. (Agencies)