JAMMU, Aug 5: Senior leaders of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) on Tuesday visited the protesting sportspersons staging a peaceful dharna near the Maharaja Hari Singh Ji Statue in Jammu and extended their support to the athletes demanding the finalisation of the long-pending Outstanding Sportspersons List.
The Congress delegation, led by JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla, accompanied by former ministers Yogesh Sawhney and G.M. Saroori, along with other party leaders, met the agitating athletes and listened to their grievances. The sportspersons alleged that despite years of dedication, achievements and repeated representations before the authorities, their genuine concerns had not been addressed.
Expressing solidarity with the protesters, the Congress leaders assured them that the party would continue to raise the issue at every appropriate platform until a fair, transparent and merit-based resolution was achieved.
Addressing the gathering, Raman Bhalla said sportspersons dedicate the prime years of their lives to bringing laurels to Jammu and Kashmir and the country, often overcoming financial and personal hardships. He said it was unfortunate that athletes had been compelled to protest on the streets instead of being recognised and honoured for their achievements.
Bhalla stated that delays and a lack of transparency in finalising the Outstanding Sportspersons List were discouraging deserving athletes and sending a negative message to aspiring sportspersons. He urged the administration to immediately engage with the protesters, examine their grievances through a transparent process and ensure that merit remained the sole criterion in all decisions.
Former minister Yogesh Sawhney said the demands of the protesting athletes were centred on fairness, transparency and justice and could no longer be ignored. He said sportspersons who represent Jammu and Kashmir at national and international levels deserve timely recognition and institutional support. Sawhney added that prolonged uncertainty over the Outstanding Sportspersons List had created anxiety among deserving candidates and undermined the confidence of young athletes.
Former minister G.M. Saroori said governments have a responsibility to promote sporting talent and create an environment where athletes feel respected and motivated rather than being forced to resort to protests. He called upon the administration to initiate meaningful dialogue with the protesting sportspersons and resolve the issue without further delay through a fair and transparent mechanism.
Reaffirming the party’s stand, the Congress leaders assured the protesting athletes that the Congress Party would continue to support their peaceful democratic struggle until justice was ensured for every deserving sportsperson.