By Rouf Ahmad Bhat, Sports Columnist
The beautiful game of football, despite its universal appeal and deep roots in many parts of India, remains underdeveloped in several regions—including Jammu and Kashmir. To foster a sporting culture and open employment avenues, the government must adopt a two-pronged approach: integrate football into educational institutions and revive departmental teams.
Introducing football in schools, colleges, and universities is more than just about sport—it’s a strategy for holistic development. Students gain not just physical strength but also life-enhancing skills like discipline, leadership, and teamwork. From grassroots training in schools to competitive inter-collegiate leagues, the institutional system can act as a fertile ground to identify and nurture young football talent.
“It’s not just about playing—it’s about shaping character,” says a local coach who has worked with under-16 players in Budgam. “Football builds mental resilience, social bonds, and a sense of purpose.”
Educational institutions that embrace football can also provide employment to hundreds of unemployed coaches and trainers, creating a ripple effect in the local economy. As demand for qualified coaches rises, it opens a sustainable career path in sports education. Coaches, in turn, can develop age-specific training modules tailored to young players, bringing structure and professionalism into school-level football.
But revitalizing football isn’t only about schools—it’s also about resurrecting departmental teams, which once formed the backbone of Indian sports. These teams, associated with public sector units, police forces, and other government departments, historically provided stable employment to thousands of athletes.
“Reviving departmental teams is a lifeline,” says an ex-player who once represented a now-defunct government side. “They offered job security, structured training, and competition, which made sports a serious career option.”
Departments such as banks, railways, and police services can once again become strongholds for sporting talent by offering permanent positions to footballers, coaches, and physiotherapists. This approach not only gives financial stability to athletes but also enables them to pursue excellence without compromising on livelihood.
Furthermore, departmental teams enhance workplace morale and health, encouraging employees to stay physically active and connected through sport. These teams can also become engines of local sports tourism, hosting inter-departmental tournaments and attracting fans and investment.
In regions like Jammu and Kashmir, where opportunities in sports remain scattered and inconsistent, such interventions could be transformative. The revival of departmental teams alongside the institutionalization of football in schools could create a pipeline of talent that feeds into national and even international arenas.
What’s needed is a policy shift—a firm government push that acknowledges sports as a sector of opportunity, not just entertainment. With the right vision, football can be more than a game—it can be a career, a community-builder, and a catalyst for change.DD
