Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council has ruled that the President of the Winter Games Association of Jammu & Kashmir is no longer eligible to continue in office after attaining the age of 70 years, rejecting the Association’s interpretation of the National Sports Development Code and directing it to appoint an Interim President and initiate the process for fresh elections.
In an official communication dated July 15, 2026, addressed to the General Secretary of the Winter Games Association of Jammu & Kashmir, the Sports Council clarified the applicability of Clause-VI of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports communication dated May 1, 2010, while responding to the Association’s clarification submitted on June 15, 2026.
The Council stated that the Association’s reliance on Clause-VI to justify the continuation of the present President beyond the prescribed age limit was “misconceived and legally untenable.”
Clause-VI Applies Only to Transitional Office Bearers
According to the Sports Council, Clause-VI of the Ministry’s 2010 communication was introduced solely as a transitional provision to protect the tenure of office bearers who were already holding office when the revised eligibility conditions came into force on May 1, 2010.
The Council clarified that the provision cannot be extended to office bearers elected after that date.
“The protection envisaged under Clause-VI cannot be extended to office bearers elected in elections conducted after 01-05-2010,” the communication states.
It further noted that all elections held after May 1, 2010 are governed by the National Sports Development Code of India and the Constitution and Regulations of the J&K Sports Council, including the prescribed upper age limit of 70 years for the office of President.
President Declared Ineligible
The Sports Council observed that the present President of the Winter Games Association attained the age of 70 years on May 20, 2026, and therefore ceased to be eligible to continue in office.
Consequently, the Council rejected the justification submitted by the Association for allowing the President to remain in office.
Directions Issued by the Sports Council
The Sports Council has directed the Winter Games Association to:
Convene a meeting of its Executive Body.
Nominate an Interim President from among the eligible office bearers in accordance with the Association’s Constitution and J&K Sports Council regulations.
Ensure the Interim President discharges the functions of the President until a duly elected President assumes office.
Initiate the process for fresh elections, as the present term of the elected office bearers is scheduled to expire in November 2026.
Submit to the Sports Council the proceedings of the Executive Body meeting, details of the Interim President and the proposed election schedule.
Warning of Action
The Sports Council has also warned that any failure to comply with the directions would be viewed seriously and could invite action under the provisions of the National Sports Development Code, the Constitution of the J&K Sports Council and other rules governing the recognition and affiliation of sports associations in Jammu & Kashmir.
The communication has been issued by the Divisional Sports Officer (Central), J&K Sports Council, with copies forwarded to senior officials of the Council for information.
