JAMMU: In a scathing critique of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed Ur Rehman Para has accused the council of reducing itself to an event management body, undermining the true spirit of sports in the region. Para condemned the shift from prioritizing quality to focusing on quantity, which, he argues, has led to the neglect of athletes who have excelled in their respective fields.
Para posed a challenge to the Sports Department, asking, “Can you name one international player in the past 7 years?” He pointed out the notable absence of support for athletes who have earned recognition on the international stage, naming figures such as Parveez Rasool, Palak Kour, Abid Nabi, Mehraj Wadoo, Ishfaq Ahmed, Bilques Mir, and Mitali, whose potential he claims has been stifled. He was participating in the debate on demand of grants for sports department in the assembly,
The PDP legislator further highlighted the failure of the Sports Council to adhere to the SRO (Statutory Rules and Orders), revealing that no top sportspersons have been employed in the past seven years. Additionally, Para noted the absence of qualified coaches at local stadiums, a glaring omission that he argues further limits the opportunities for young athletes to grow and develop.
Para’s comments are a direct challenge to the current administration’s approach to sports, calling for a significant overhaul of the system to prioritize the nurturing of talent and the fostering of a robust sporting culture in Jammu and Kashmir.
