The future of Football in Jammu and Kashmir seems bleak in view of the approaching October 20 deadline of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to act against the dead units and little activity on part of the J&K Football Association (JKFA) to set the house in order.

 The AIFF has, in a clear message to the state/UT units,to hold the elections or face action or face action including that of permanent disaffiliations post October 20 set deadline. Failing to adhere to the AIFFdirections, it will become near impossible for the JKFA to take part in AIFF-led national competitions.

 Notably, elections to the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) have been delayed since 2022 due to administrative disputes, court cases and prolonged ad-hoc arrangements. With the result, the JKFA administration has been taken over by the J&K Sports Council (JKSC).

 As per the reports, the AIFF deputy secretary general, M Satyanarayan had told such state/UT units to hold the mandatory elections asper the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 or face action, including disaffiliation from the parent body. “If by Oct 20, elections in all the State/UT units having their polls pending, including the JKFA, are not conducted, as per the NSGA their affiliations with the AIFF will be jeopardized,” said M Satyanarayan.

 With regard to the J&K, he had said, “If stakeholders including officials, clubs, district associations in the UT of J&K understand and come together under a new constitution on the lines of the AIFF constitution, elections may be conducted, and the JKFA can restore its status of participating in all administrative and football activities.

 He said, “It will be very difficult for AIFF to allow any of the teams of an association that is not governed by a duly and transparently elected body to participate in national competitions under the banner of AIFF. Three months from August to October is sufficient to complete the exercise, and we have circulated the draft of the Constitution adopted by the AIFF, and the same has to be a model for all the state associations,” said Satyanarayan.

 Important to mention here that when FIFA bans a member association, their national team cannot take part in international events, and the same applies to state bodies. Since, the AIFF has already given J&Kenough time to set the house in order, the unit likely to face some tough action after expiry of October deadline.

 On August nine last, a joint meeting of all football stakeholders in J&K deliberated upon the present situation and the way forward for restoring a democratic, united and effective football administration in the Union Territory.

The meeting discussed the JKFA elections, the reasons forthe elections not being conducted so far, possible solutions to resolve theexisting issues, the constitutional position of JKFA, and the future course ofaction.

 The stakeholders also held a meeting with All India Football Federation (AIFF) officials at its New Delhi head office regarding the upcoming elections of the J&K Football Association, the complications involved, and the possible challenges and hurdles ahead.

The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to working collectively for the revival and development of football in Jammu and Kashmir in the larger interest of the game and its players.

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When India thinks of hosting Olympics in 2036, its remote part of Jammu and Kashmir lying behind and still rely on 41 sports disciplines to contribute the Nation’s stakes of building a strong talent pool for the ultimate sporting event of the world.

With governing body of J&K Sports Council (JKSC) already classified functional and non-functional sports associations, the autonomous government aided sports body had around 56 affiliated sports bodies on its role. But due to the callous approach of some of these sports units, the JKSC filtered the functional and non-functional units for better governance.

It has been reliably learnt that, presently, out of the 56 previously recognized bodies, 41 were functional and seven other lying completely defunct. Further, a few were de-recognised after their national federations/associations landed in disputes, while others not recognised either for failing to conduct timely elections or due to the legal battles.

Sharing details of the functional associations, the insiders revealed that 41 affiliated associations, as per JKSC records, included Archery Association of J&K, J&K Billiards and Snooker Association, Body Building Association Jammu and Kashmir, J&K Cycling Association, J&K Amateur Fencing Association, J&K Gymnastics Association, J&K Amateur Kabaddi Association, J&K State Kho-Kho Association, Amateur Karate-Do Association of J&K, J&K Lawn Tennis Association, Netball Association of J&K, J&K Table Tennis Association, J&K Taekwondo Association, Volleyball Association of J&K, Wushu Association of J&K, All J&K Sports Association of the Deaf, J&K Rifle Association, Rollball Association of J&K, J&K Amateur Soft Tennis Association, J&K Ball Badminton Association, All J&K Chess Association, J&K Cycle Polo Association, J&K Carrom Association, Hockey J&K,J&K Handball Association, J&K Squash Rackets Association, J&K Tenni-Koit Association, J&K Tennisball Cricket Association, J&K Thang-Ta Association, J&K Water Skiing Association, Winter Games Association of J&K, J&K Rugby Association, Pencak Silat Association of J&K, J&K Amateur Athletic Association, J&K Badminton Association, J&K Judo Association, J&K Amateur Boxing Association, J&K Wrestling Association, Mountaineering Association of J&K, J&K Weightlifting Association and J&K Association for Rowing & Sculling.

Seven sports associations were currently non-functional and had been declared defunct by the governing body of JKSC for various reasons. While J&K Cricket Association was de-recognised for the purpose o fgrants, J&K Horse Polo Association and J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association were categorised as defunct.

The J&K Korfball Association was also categorised as defunct as elections have been overdue for a long time due to issues concerning the National Sports Federation (NSF). Official sources further said that the J&K Olympic Association had also been de-recognised due tonon-implementation of the Sports Code, while the J&K Powerlifting Association was declared defunct after recognition of its national body was suspended.

The J&K Golf Association was also among the defunct bodies, as its last elections were conducted on June 13, 2016, and the body had remained non-functional for a long time.

The J&K Roller Sports Association was categorised as de-recognised as its activities were being conducted in-house by J&K Sports Council.

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