Jammu and Kashmir Football Association today refuted the allegations levelled by National Conference spokesperson Junaid Azim Matu in his recent press conference against the Association.
Quoting it’s spokesperson a statement issued by JKFA read, “The JKFA is apolitical Association and has no concern with any political activities of any Party whatsoever. The Association has been carrying out its activities professionally and in a transparent manner with an aim and objective to promote and popularize the game of football in the state for more than five decades.”
“The JKFA was allotted Rs 59.80 lakhs under ‘Khelo India’ (Central sponsored Sports Scheme) to organise football tournaments at block & District level in Kashmir valley. Under the said scheme, the funds were also allotted to other Associations Coaches and Manager to organize Competition of various disciplines at Block level not only for JKFA alone. Accordingly the amount of Rs 59027 each was transferred by the JKFA to 88 Blocks of all Districts of Kashmir valley to hold the football events at block levels. After the successful completion of 88 block-level tournaments & intra District events were held for which Rs 1,26,354 per district was allotted,” statement said
“The events were held in all ten districts of Kashmir and it concluded in March 2017. The audit of the accounts was carried out and the same was submitted to the Sports Council in time. The audit report was also presented before the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Government of India by the Sports Council,” statement further said
“Similarly, last year (in 2017), to organise Late Mufti Mohammad Syed Memorial Gold Cup Football League Tournament in all Districts of the State, the Government earmarked Rs two crore for holding the said event for 22 Districts of the State. “The event started in August 2017 and in which 640 teams and clubs in different age groups participated. More than 1174 matches out of 2100 Matches have been played in the event so far for which the Association has incurred an expenditure of Rs 61,27,860. The Sports Council has released only Rs 50 lakhs for the event so far,” he said.
Giving details of the expenditure of each match that there is an expenditure of Rs. 7000/- per match which includes refreshment charges, to each players, Officiating charges to Referees, Transportation charges as per the Norms of Sports Council. It is pertinent to mention here the J&K Football Association in past has also organized similar Tournaments like Sheri Kashmir Gold Cup, Sadiq Memorial, Madri Mehrban, Shah Faisal, Prof Saif din Memorial, Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad Gold Cup, Alama Iqbal Memorial Football Tournaments from time & time.
While terming the allegations of misappropriation of funds as baseless, fabricated and figment of imagination, the JKFA appeal the political parties not to drag them into any politics.
“The accounts of JKFA are there and can be scrutinized by any Government agency anytime. But dragging the name of premier Association to settle political scores is unfortunate JKFA is the biggest Association in the state having more than 700 registered clubs. Our accounts are yearly audited by the auditors and the audit reports of the JKFA are placed before General Council of JKFA and copy of the same goes to the Sports Council as well,” he said.
The spokesperson said that JKFA will leave no stone unturned for the promotion and betterment of the football in the state. He also warned that some disgruntled elements were misleading media and political parties about the functioning for JKFA and warned them that they will be exposed before the public soon.