Befooling the Government, the J&K Football Association (JKFA) has, in a clever move, completed the formality of holding separate trials for football enthusiasts of Jammu Division at GGM Science College ground, here for North Zone Qualifying Round group-A of the 75th Hero NFC for Santosh Trophy at scheduled to be held at Chandigarh. Initially, reluctant to hold trials for Jammu boys, the JKFA agreed for separate selection process in Jammu after Principal Secretary (Sports), Alok Kumar intervened and issued necessary directions.

However, already made up mind with regard to the selections, out of the Kashmir based boys, the JKFA deputed its team of selectors under the guidance of chairman of selection committee, Abdul Majid Kakroo to just complete the formality, thereby befooled the Government and football fraternity of Jammu.

As per the All India Football Federation (AIFF) letter addressed to the JKFA, the last date for registration of final 30 selected boys through CMS (Competition Management System) of the AIFF was fixed on November five and then extended to November nine, followed by the final 20-member team updation latest by November 12. And, to the contrary of the given time frame, the JKFA ‘deliberately’ conducted three-day selection trials for Jammu at GGM Science College ground from November nine to November 11, beyond the permissible limit of November nine.

“Initially a team can register thirty (30) players in CMS, with minimum of eight (under-21 players, who are above 18 years of age, on or before 5th November 2021 (last day for registration). A team has to select 20 players with minimum of five under-21 players from the initially registered 30 players in CMS by 12th November 2021, who shall be eligible to play in the zonal qualifying round,” the addressed to JKFA, dated October 22, a copy of which is in passion of Sports & Allied News, mentioned. Later, the date for CMS extended to November nine by the AIFF.

The non seriousness on part of the JKFA was evident from the fact that for entire three-day selection exercise, the ground was not marked what to talk of nets on the goal posts and flags on the corner points. So much so, around 50 young footballers from districts of Jammu, Kathua, Samba and Udhampur were put to trials by the selection penal, knowing that the entire process was going to be a futile exercise for the players. Led by Majid Kakroo, the selection penal comprised Shafi Nari, Sat Pal Singh, Moon Stephen and Surinder Singh Bunty. On being contacted, Majid Kakroo said, “We had already submitted (in the list of 30) the names of the players from Jammu on November nine, the very first day of the selections and then continued with the selection process for two more day.”