Srinagar- Dated: – 27th Feb-2023 in a significant development for football affairs in Jammu and Kashmir, stakeholders from South Kashmir, North Kashmir, and Central Kashmir held a joint Press Conference to discuss pressing issues affecting the sport of football in the region. The meeting focused on the recent scandals surrounding the Mufti Memorial Football Tournament (2,40 Cr), Baby League Events(27.50 laks) and Khelo India Football Program scams (63 Laks).
During the Press Conference, the participants expressed their deep concern about the rampant corruption in football affairs in the UT and emphasized the need for urgent action to root out this malaise. They lauded the efforts of the Director Anti Corruption Bureau for initiation of the investigation and registering an FIR Famous Biriyani Scam (FIR No 30-2022 Dated 22-07-2022l) in the Mufti Memorial Football Tournament case Amounting 2.40 Cr, which has exposed the extent of corruption in the sport.
The people are well aware about the previous office bearers of J&K Football Association (JKFA) being involved in various fraudulent activities, including the Mufti Memorial Tournament scam (Rs 2.60 crore).The Mufti Memorial Tournament, which was supposed to be a platform to promote football in the UT, was instead used as a tool for embezzlement of funds. Millions of rupees were siphoned off from the tournament, and the organizers pocketed the money meant for the development of football in the state.
The stakeholders also discussed the Khelo India Football Program (Rs 63 lacs) and the Baby League Event scams, which has caused a huge loss to the exchequer and deprived promising young footballers of the state of the opportunity to showcase their talent on a national platform. Despite the involvement of high-profile individuals in the scam, justice has not been fully served, and the culprits are still roaming free. It is imperative that the guilty are brought to justice.
Furthermore, they also appealed and requested the Lieutenant Governor of J&K UT Honourable Shri Manoj Sinha, Chief Secretary J&K UT Shri Arun Kumar Mehata IAS, Director General Criminal Investigation Department Shri Rashmi Ranjan Swain IPS and the worthy Director ACB Shri ANAND JAIN IPS to open a new investigation in the Khelo India Program and Baby League Event scams. The Khelo India program was launched with the objective of identifying and nurturing young talent in football. However, there are infinity proofs that the program in Kashmir was riddled with corruption, and the funds meant for the development of football were misused and transferred into their Personnel accounts of Ex JKFA Officials and the accounts of their well wishers. The Papers Proofs Related to the Scam have been already send to Anti Corruption Bureau.
Football is a sport that has the potential to bring people together, promote unity and harmony, and contribute to the overall development of society. However, this corruption in football has damaged the sport and discouraged talented players from pursuing their dreams.
The stakeholders urged the authorities to take immediate action against the individuals involved in these scams and ensure that justice is served. They also requested to take steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future and promote transparency and accountability in football in Jammu and Kashmir. The Press Conference concluded with a unanimous resolution to work together to promote transparency, accountability, and fairness in football affairs in Jammu and Kashmir.
The participants pledged to support the efforts of the Director Anti Corruption Bureau Shri Anand Jain IPS in his crusade against corruption in the sport. Speaking after the Press conference, a spokesperson for the stakeholders said, “Football is a passion for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and we cannot allow it to be tainted by corruption and malpractices. We are grateful to the Director ACB for his efforts in exposing the corruption in the Mufti Memorial Football Tournament case, and we urge him to take similar action in the Khelo India Football Program (63 Laks) and Baby League Event scams (27.5Laks). We are committed to working together to create a clean and transparent football ecosystem in the state .As well Audit the accounts of J&K Football Association from the Date they assumed Charge i,e 2004 and all the accounts of Officials of Ex JKFA.
The joint Press Conference of stakeholders from South Kashmir, North Kashmir, and Central Kashmir marks a significant step forward in the fight against corruption in football affairs in Jammu and Kashmir. The commitment and resolve shown by the participants to create a clean and transparent ecosystem bodes well for the future of the sport in the UT.
By:-
Stake Holders of Football From
South Kashmir
North Kashmir
Central Kashmir
