Players alleged discrimination

Srinagar: Seeking the intervention of the Chief Minister Umar Abdullah in to the alleged regional discrimination, the Valley based chess players said that the All India Chess Federation (AICF) meets out step motherly attitude towards them.

Talking to Rising Kashmir General Secretary JKSCA Ashiq Kaloo said “There is a lot of discrimination in Kashmir when it comes to sports. National Federations are playing communal cards while granting and managing sports scenario in Kashmir Valley.”

Referring towards the unconstitutional affiliation of Jammu Based organization namely All State Chess Association (ASCA) by AICF, Kaloo said “It is an unconstitutional step taken by ACIF which indicates that age old Kashmir based organization are being sidelined when it comes to any national event.”

Jammu Kashmir Chess Association was affiliated with All India Chess Federation and is recognized by the JK State Sports Council since 1973.

However, JKSCA alleged AICF of de-affiliating the association on the grounds of being headed by Kashmiri sportsman.

It is a tragedy that a proper organized sports organization has been first de-affiliated on being Kashmir, then sidelined on communal grounds today” said senior chess player Iftikar Rashid, adding “to boost the sports sprit among the players government should take strict notice pf this sports communalism”

“we will knock the door of the court to get the justice as we are being sidelined under a communal conspiracy, first we were de-affiliated forcibly, now AICF bestowed affiliation to an unrecognized organization headed a business man simply to sideline Kashmir’s” said General Secretary JKSCA.

JKSCA and chess players of the valley appealed Chief Minster to look into the matter so that players from valley can get opportunity show their talents.

“We demand immediate attention of the chief Minster Umer Abdullah to redress our grievances” a sportsman, Mir Suhail said adding the abrupt de-affiliation and proxy by AICF has put our career on stake”