Satish Sharma calls for Sustained Push to Football Talent in Jammu & Kashmir

SRINAGAR : Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FS&CA), Information Technology (IT), Youth Services & Sports, and Science & Technology, Satish Sharma, on friday attended the concluding league-stage match of the Khyber Cement Kashmir Super League 2026, powered by Athwas Retail and Athwas Hyundai, and reiterated the government’s commitment to providing Jammu & Kashmir’s young sporting talent with greater opportunities to compete, excel and build careers in sports.
The Minister was the Chief Guest at the final league-stage fixture between Swift Strikers Rainawari FC and Sanctorum North United FC, witnessing an impressive display of football. Swift Strikers Rainawari FC registered a comprehensive 6–0 victory, thereby securing the fourth and final berth in the play-offs.
With the completion of the league stage, Athwas India XI emerged as the league winners, while the successful teams now advance to the play-off stage to compete for the coveted championship title.
During the event, Satish Sharma interacted with players, team officials and organisers and appreciated their efforts in creating a competitive platform for footballers from Jammu & Kashmir. He said that leagues such as the Kashmir Super League are important in providing young players with sustained match exposure and an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a competitive environment.
The Minister said that Jammu & Kashmir possesses considerable sporting talent and that the focus of the Youth Services & Sports Department is increasingly on identifying talent at the grassroots level, providing regular competitive exposure and creating pathways for promising sportspersons to progress to higher levels.
He stressed that sporting development cannot be confined to infrastructure alone and must also include regular tournaments, professional coaching, quality competition, talent identification and opportunities for players to gain experience.
Satish Sharma said that football enjoys a particularly strong following among the youth of Jammu & Kashmir, and tournaments of this nature can play an important role in converting that enthusiasm into structured sporting participation and competitive achievement.
He appreciated the participation of local players in the league and said that giving them opportunities to compete before home crowds can contribute significantly to their confidence and development. He also underscored the importance of encouraging youngsters to take up sports as a disciplined pursuit and, wherever their talent permits, as a potential career.
The Minister also acknowledged the contribution of coaches, referees, technical officials, team managements, organisers, sponsors and football supporters towards making the tournament successful. He said that a vibrant sporting ecosystem requires the collective participation of government institutions, sporting bodies, private partners, coaches, athletes and the community.
Highlighting the wider objectives of the government’s sports policy, Satish Sharma said that efforts are being made to strengthen sports infrastructure and expand opportunities for young people across Jammu & Kashmir. He maintained that the emphasis should remain on grassroots development, inclusivity, competitive opportunities and systematic nurturing of sporting talent.
The Minister said that major sporting competitions also provide an opportunity to promote discipline, teamwork, leadership, perseverance and healthy lifestyles among young people. He called upon youngsters to make sports an integral part of their lives and encouraged talented players to remain committed to continuous training and improvement.
The Kashmir Super League has witnessed enthusiastic participation, competitive encounters and growing interest among football lovers, providing local players with an organised platform to compete and gain valuable experience.
Congratulating Athwas India XI on being crowned league winners, Satish Sharma also congratulated Swift Strikers Rainawari FC on securing their play-off berth following their emphatic victory. He extended his best wishes to all the teams entering the knockout phase and expressed hope that the play-offs would produce further exciting and competitive football.
The Minister reiterated that the government will continue to support initiatives that contribute to the development of sports in Jammu & Kashmir and provide young athletes with platforms where their talent can be recognized, developed and showcased.