Every year, the Indian army organises and funds scores of sports related competitions in the Kashmir Valley like cricket, football, kabaddi etc. Since the death of commander of Hizbul Mujahideen Burhan wani, such events have become an effective way for the government agencies to reach out to the youth of Kashmir. A huge number of competitions have been organised by government, army & police, this year to maintain peace in the valley.

But such events have become grounds of protest by the people of kashmir against the government. This year, army sponsored several cricket events and during these events the people raised pro-Pakistan pro-freedom slogans. On Saturday, a cricket competition was held in District Budgam of Central Kashmir between two local cricket teams by 53 Rashtriya Rifles. At the end of the event, people raised slogans in favour of militant commander Zakir Musa and Pakistan.

At the award ceremony when the match ended, the audience mainly consisting of youth raised Pakistan flags, shouted slogans in favour of Pakistan and the chief of Ansar Ghazwatul Hind Zakir Musa. In a similar incident on August 14, 2017, 32 Rashtriya Rifles organised a football competition in District Kupwara in Hangha village of North Kashmir. It was the final match between two local champions. At the end of the match, the winner team refused to take award and the participants started shouting pro-Pakistan slogans.