10/07/2026
The resounding success of the inaugural Kashmir Champions Football League (KCFL), organized by the J&K Sports Council, stands as a testament to the Government of Jammu & Kashmir’s commitment to strengthening grassroots sports and empowering youth. By conducting transparent district-level scouting across all ten districts of the Kashmir Division, the league provided hundreds of talented footballers with an opportunity to earn selection on merit and compete in a professionally organized tournament at the TRC Turf Football Stadium, Srinagar. The championship, won by Baramulla Strikers, witnessed unprecedented public support, with thousands of spectators from every age group, including men, women, children, and senior citizens, filling the stands and creating a vibrant footballing atmosphere. More importantly, the league channelled the energy, enthusiasm, and aspirations of young people towards constructive sporting activities, reinforcing the Government’s vision of encouraging youth participation in sports, promoting healthy lifestyles, and creating positive alternatives through structured sporting opportunities. The overwhelming response to KCFL has established it as a landmark initiative for the revival of district-level football and the long-term development of the sport in Jammu & Kashmir. It is noteworthy that the J&K Government's initiative, which established district teams, scouted local players, and eventually made them participate in a professionally organized football league, is the first of its kind in the entire country.