An Emerging Giant in The Field of Sports

 An Emerging Giant in The Field of Sports

Sports and outdoor activities are excellent tools that can (and therefore must) be used to transform youth into an organized, self-confident, and competent workforce to realize the overarching goal of socio-economic development. No wonder promoting sports among the youth in Jammu and Kashmir has been one of the areas of prime focus of the UT administration since August 2019.

Using sports as a medium to positively channelize the energy and potential of the young generation has been integral to the development of our nation’s human capital ever since 1982 when we hosted the Asian Games in New Delhi.

On February 3, 2022, the J&K government announced a new sports policy aimed at enabling Kashmiri youth to excel in sporting activities and scale new heights. This policy was introduced at a time when the millennial youth of the region started experiencing the return of normalcy in J&K and were seeking constructive avenues to showcase their abilities.

There has been a growing realisation that peace and development can also be achieved by empowering both the youth and women through improved sports, health and education infrastructure, besides social and cultural initiatives.

Data provided by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports reveals a substantial rise in sports infrastructure in J&K. For example, in 2014-15, while there were a mere 21 Khelo India Centres in J&K, by 2020-21, this number has gone up six times to an impressive 127. Today, J&K has nine sports stadiums as opposed to two, nine years ago, while the number of playing fields has gone up from 50 to 300.

A pivotal role in developing sports facilities across the UT has been played by the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council (J&KSC), which by working overtime with exemplary dedication has been able to create 82 new playing fields and is aiming at adding another 170. It has also taken a lead role in upgrading 77 existing sports facilities. Thus, for young and talented sportspersons of J&K, an environment to excel is being provided.

Thank to News 18