Srinagar, September 19: Minister for Youth Services & Sports Satish Sharma has called for sustained efforts to identify, train and provide competitive opportunities to young footballers in Jammu and Kashmir, stressing that promising players need regular exposure and proper coaching to progress in the sport.
Sharma made the remarks while attending the concluding league-stage match of the Khyber Cement Kashmir Super League 2026, where he interacted with players, team officials and organisers and reviewed the competitive action.
The final league-stage fixture saw Swift Strikers Rainawari FC defeat Sanctorum North United FC 6–0, securing the fourth and final place in the play-offs. With the league phase coming to an end, Athwas India XI finished as the league-stage winners, while the qualifying teams moved into the next phase of the competition.
Competitive Football Can Give Young Players a Platform
Speaking on the occasion, Sharma said tournaments such as the Kashmir Super League can play an important role in giving young footballers consistent match exposure.
For players trying to establish themselves, regular competitive fixtures provide an opportunity not only to test their skills but also to gain experience of playing under pressure and against different opponents.
The Minister said Jammu and Kashmir has considerable sporting talent and stressed that efforts to develop it should begin at the grassroots level.
He underlined the importance of talent identification, professional coaching, regular tournaments and quality competition, along with creating clear pathways for talented players to move towards higher levels of the sport.
Focus Beyond Sports Infrastructure
Sharma said the development of sports cannot be limited to building infrastructure. According to him, facilities need to be supported by regular competitions, trained coaches and opportunities that allow athletes to continually improve.
Football, in particular, has a strong following among young people in Jammu and Kashmir. Organised leagues can help channel that interest into structured participation while giving players a chance to demonstrate their abilities before coaches, clubs and wider audiences.
The Minister also encouraged youngsters to view sport as more than just recreation, saying that disciplined participation can contribute to confidence, teamwork, leadership and perseverance. For players with the necessary ability and commitment, sports can also become a potential career path.
Collective Effort Needed to Build Football Ecosystem
Sharma acknowledged the contribution of coaches, referees, technical officials, team managements, organisers, sponsors and supporters to the success of the league.
He said the growth of a strong sporting ecosystem requires cooperation between government institutions, sports bodies, private partners, coaches, players and the community.
The Minister also congratulated Athwas India XI for finishing as league-stage winners and Swift Strikers Rainawari FC for securing their place in the play-offs. He extended his best wishes to the teams competing in the knockout phase.
The Kashmir Super League’s league phase has provided local footballers with an organised competitive platform, while the upcoming play-offs will give the participating teams another opportunity to test themselves in high-pressure matches.
For Jammu and Kashmir’s emerging footballers, continued investment in grassroots identification, coaching and regular competition could provide the foundation for a stronger pathway from local football to higher levels of the sport.
