Jammu, Dec. 15 -- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the selection of the Union Territory's Santosh Trophy football team was based strictly on merit, rejecting allegations of regional or political bias in the process.

Addressing reporters here at Jammu, Abdullah said sports and education must remain insulated from political considerations and regional divisions.

He said players who make it to state or national teams do so on the basis of performance, commitment and ability, and such selections should be respected.

The chief minister's remarks come in the wake of criticism from some quarters in Jammu over the composition of the Santosh Trophy squad, with allegations that the team includes a larger number of pl...