Santosh Trophy: J&K to announce final squad on December 12

Srinagar, Dec 7: The Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council will announce the final 22-member squad for the upcoming senior men's Santosh Trophy on December 12, a day before the team departs for Punjab for the qualifying round, officials said.

The council officer told Greater Kashmir that currently 32 players were shortlisted after an extensive multi-stage selection process and were undergoing the final coaching camp.

The official confirmed that the squad will be formally announced on Friday this week, while the top sports authorities are likely to flag off the team on December 13.

The qualifiers for Group A will be held in Mahilpur, Hoshiarpur (Punjab), where J&K has been clubbed with Punjab, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh. The team will play three matches on December 15, 17, and 19 to earn qualification for the final round.

The official said that the selection process began with a massive response from athletes across J&K. He said in the Kashmir division, around 245 senior players attended the open trials spread over three days.

“Separate trials were held in Jammu, where players from Poonch, Udhampur, Kathua, and other districts participated. Coaches also scouted players from the Kashmir Super League (KSL) and Premier League, widening the talent pool beyond conventional trials,” the official said.

The official added that following divisional trials, the Sports Council conducted the final selection round from November 21 to 23, from which the top 32 players were shortlisted for the ongoing camp.

The official added that the senior team is being prepared under the supervision of former India international and pro-licensed coach Ishfaq Ahmed, who is heading the coaching staff.