Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya lauded the efforts of J&K in engaging the youth in productive activities, including sports.
The Minister was speaking on the sidelines of the upcoming Chintan Shivir being hosted by the sports department of the Jammu and Kashmir.
The Union Minister also held a detailed meeting with Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, and Science and Technology, Satish Sharma.
Earlier, the J&K Minister, Satish Sharma welcomed the visiting dignitaries and extended his appreciation for their presence in J&K for the important deliberations aimed at strengthening the sports landscape across the country.
During the meeting, Satish Sharma discussed in detail a comprehensive roadmap for giving a significant fillip to sports development in J&K, with particular emphasis on expanding outreach to border and far-flung areas. He underscored that youth residing in remote and underserved regions possess immense untapped potential, which can be channelized effectively through targeted interventions and improved access to sports infrastructure.
The Minister highlighted the ongoing efforts of the J&K Government to promote a vibrant sports culture, including the organization of local tournaments, talent identification programmes, and initiatives aimed at engaging youth in constructive and nation-building activities. He stressed the need for strengthening grassroots-level infrastructure to ensure that aspiring athletes, irrespective of their geographical location, have access to quality training and facilities.
Satish Sharma also sought liberal financial assistance from the Government of India for upgrading existing sports infrastructure and establishing modern, state-of-the-art facilities across Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized the importance of developing multipurpose indoor stadiums, playfields, and high-performance training centres equipped with advanced coaching support and sports science facilities.
The discussions further focused on enhancing collaboration between the Union Ministry and the J&K Government in organizing national-level sporting events in the UT, which would not only provide exposure to local talent but also position the region as a prominent sporting destination.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya appreciated the proactive initiatives being undertaken by the Jammu and Kashmir Government and lauded the focused approach towards youth engagement and sports development. He assured full support and cooperation from the Government of India in strengthening the sports ecosystem in the region, particularly in underserved and border areas.
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