Srinagar, Jan 28 (KNO): Jammu is set for a high-octane sporting season as the Department of Youth Services and Sports (YSS) and Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council (JKSC) launch the YSS-JKSC Football Premier League and Cricket League.
Scheduled at the Synthetic Turf Football Ground, Parade and M A Stadium, the twin leagues promise thrilling competition, a showcase of local talent and a revival of professional football and cricket in the winter capital.
In a statement to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson of the J&K Sports Council said, “Jammu, the City of Temples, is set for a high-octane sporting season as the Department of Youth Services and Sports and Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council will launch two marquee events—the YSS-JKSC Football Premier League and YSS-JKSC Cricket League with promising double the thrill and renewed excitement for grassroots sport.”
“The leagues will be held at the Synthetic Turf Football Ground, Parade and M A Stadium, the leagues are set to deliver weeks of competitive action for fans across the city,” the statement added.
“The YSS-JKSC Cricket and Football Premier League Tournaments 2025-26 are a much-needed initiative to significantly contribute towards the revival of Jammu’s professional cricket and football tournaments,” it added.
“The YSS-JKSC Football Premier League, slated for the Synthetic Turf at Parade, marks the return of the beautiful game to the heart of the city,” the statement said, adding, “With the turf primed and floodlights waiting, the league is expected to showcase sharp tackles, long-range screamers, and an atmosphere that only football in Jammu can generate.”
“The organising committees and additional sub-committees comprising former national and international players, referees, umpires, coaches, club owners and JKSC officials have been constituted to ensure that the matches are conducted professionally,” it said.
“Running parallel will be the YSS-JKSC Cricket League at the historic M A Stadium, signalling the comeback of big-league cricket at one of Jammu’s most cherished sporting venues,” the statement added.
“As the pitch is curated and teams begin their preparations, anticipation is building over who will lift the cup when the league gets underway. The competition will consist of a total of 41 matches in football and 39 matches in cricket, with the final format and match composition to be framed after the finalisation of the participating teams,” it said.
“Every match would be played strictly in accordance with FIFA and AIFF rules in football and ICC and BCCI regulations in cricket,” reads the statement.
“After scrutiny by the Technical and Registration Committees, only permanent resident players from the Jammu Division would be permitted to participate in the tournaments,” it said.
The statement said, “In cricket, there will be a cap of five out-stationed players per team. The objective is to give players from the Jammu Division ample opportunities to participate in a competitive competition.”
“The Mini Stadium Parade had been made available for football matches, while the M A Stadium would host the cricket league,” it added.
“To give the event more significance, grand opening and closing ceremonies will be arranged. Matches will also be conducted under floodlights to attract maximum sports enthusiasts, and these matches will be telecast live on social media platforms,” he said.
The statement said that to ensure high professional standards, AIFF-accredited referees and BCCI-certified umpires would officiate the matches. “The JKSC would provide match-day refreshments through its approved EMAs and would also arrange trophies, mementoes, medallions, branding, stationery and medical facilities on the closing day of the tournaments,” it said.
“It is anticipated that large audiences will return to the stands of the Mini Stadium Synthetic Turf Parade and the M A Stadium Jammu to witness these high-profile matches,” the statement said.
“This platform will provide aspiring sportspersons in Jammu with the opportunity to exhibit their talent and achieve podium finishes at the national and international levels,” it added—(KNO)