Jammu, 29 July (H.S.): Extending support to the athletes protesting over the Sports Quota recruitment issue, the Jammu and Kashmir unit of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha's administration to immediately intervene, address the genuine demands of the athletes, and undertake comprehensive reforms in the union Territory's sports policy.

Led by State President Manish Sahni, a delegation of senior Shiv Sena leaders visited the protest site being held under the banner War Against Sports Mafia and expressed complete solidarity with the agitating athletes.

Speaking on the occasion, Sahni said it was deeply unfortunate that athletes who had brought laurels to the nation by winning medals and raising the Indian tricolour were now forced to protest on the streets for justice and employment.

He said the lack of transparency in the Sports Quota recruitment process, the neglect of genuine medal winners, and the shortcomings of the existing sports policy must be addressed without delay through a respectful dialogue with the athletes.

Sahni demanded a comprehensive review of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Policy and urged the government to align it with the transparent and athlete-centric policies followed by states such as Kerala, Karnataka, and Haryana.

He also called for clearly defined categories for medal winners of the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, National Games, and other recognised national championships to ensure fair and equitable opportunities based on sporting achievements.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar