Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir – The Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) is set to conduct fresh elections on November 25, following a court directive mandating the Sports Council to oversee the polls. The decision aims to align the UT’s football governing body with national sporting standards.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the court of the 4th Additional Sessions Judge in Srinagar issued an order last week, instructing the Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council to finalize the JKFA elections within a three-week timeframe. This directive stems from a need to ensure the JKFA operates in accordance with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) constitution and the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, which became effective on January 1, 2026.
Advocate Sameer Hamid, representing the petitioners Fayaz Ahmad Sofi and others, confirmed the court’s instruction. “The Hon’ble court has directed the Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, to appoint a returning officer for holding elections within three weeks,” Hamid stated.
Fayaz Ahmad Sofi, a former office-bearer of the association and one of the petitioners, indicated that the election date was formalized during a meeting of stakeholders convened by the Secretary of the Sports Council on November 2. The meeting was attended by a delegation from the AIFF and over 150 individuals representing various District Football Associations, zones, and football institutions from both the Kashmir Valley and Jammu Province. During this consultative session, discussions focused on crucial aspects of the election process, including voter eligibility and other pertinent matters essential for the transparent and efficient conduct of the polls.
The legal action to compel the elections was initiated in 2023 by former India player Abdul Majeed Kakroo and Fayaz Ahmad Sofi. Both had filed a petition seeking the long-overdue elections for the association’s executive body. The current move is anticipated to streamline the governance of football within the Union Territory, fostering greater transparency and adherence to established sports administration principles.
The election process is expected to involve nominations, scrutiny of candidates, and the casting of votes by eligible delegates representing district associations and other footballing bodies across Jammu and Kashmir. The outcome of these elections will determine the new leadership of the JKFA, which plays a pivotal role in the development and promotion of football at the grassroots and professional levels within the region. Officials aim for a smooth transition, ensuring the continuity of football activities and developmental programs across the Union Territory.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
