Rebuttal: No Best Grassroots Center Award Granted to JKSC’s Football Academy in 2023-24

Srinagar, June 22: The recent news article published on June 11, 2024, titled “AIFF Confers Best Grassroots Center Award to Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council’s Football Academy” contains inaccuracies regarding the recognition bestowed upon the academy.
No such award for the best Grassroots Center has been conferred to the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council’s Football Academy for the year 2023-24. Furthermore, the AIFF Blue Cubs Development Center initiative has not been extended to the academy as reported.
While the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council’s Football Academy has made commendable efforts in nurturing young football talent and contributing to grassroots football development, the claims made in the article regarding specific awards and initiatives are not factual.
The AIFF recently introduced the AIFF Grassroots Awards 2023 to recognize outstanding contributions to grassroots football across India. These awards, categorized into Stakeholders, Event Operations, and Special Initiatives, honor entities that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to nurturing young football talent at the grassroots level.
The Federation’s rigorous evaluation process included thorough scrutiny of all applicants before determining the winners, who will also be eligible for nomination to the upcoming AFC Grassroots Awards 2023. The AIFF congratulates the deserving recipients of these awards, which were announced recently in New Delhi.
Stakeholders:Best School: Ryan Group of Schools, Maharashtra, Best Grassroots Academy: Khelum Foundation, Sikkim, Best Professional Academy: Bengaluru FC, Karnataka, Best State FA: Mizoram Football Association
Event Operations:Best Engagement: Young Star FC, Haryana, Best Event Organisation: Momin FC, Maharashtra, Best Volunteer Programme: Oscar Foundation, Maharashtra, Best Activity Programme: Warming Up Kids, West Bengal
Special Initiatives:Best Kindergarten Initiatives: Great Goals FC, Tamil Nadu, Best Social Initiative: Slum Soccer, Maharashtra, Best Women’s Initiative: Naandi Foundation, Best Disability Initiative: FC Goa, Best Rural Development Programme: Tata Steel Foundation, Jharkhand, Best Legacy Programme: Anantapur Sports Academy, Andhra Pradesh
President’s Awards:Vishal Vaza (Bhavnagar FA, Gujarat), Nathaniel D’Costa (FC Goa), Sai Adithya Saravanan (First Kick School of Soccer), Nikolaos Topoliatis (Punjab FC), Ganesh Prabhu (Chennaiyin FC)
The AIFF remains committed to promoting transparency and accuracy in all communications related to football development initiatives. We encourage journalists and the public to verify information from credible sources to ensure accurate reporting.