- Pushes Grassroots Sports Infrastructure, Fair Selection Systems
- Calls For Future-Ready Sports Ecosystem In J&K
Srinagar- Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday called for keeping sports strictly away from politics, asserting that a peaceful and transparent environment is essential to nurture sporting talent and build India as a true sporting powerhouse.
The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the inauguration of the two-day National Level Sports Conference – SRIJAN, organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports at Jammu. The conference aims to identify actionable strategies to strengthen sports systems in Jammu and Kashmir, prepare a roadmap for the effective implementation of the National Sports Policy 2025 and J&K Sports Policy 2022, and outline measures for shaping a resilient and future-ready generation.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor emphasised the need to integrate sports with education and essential life skills, describing sports as a powerful tool for the holistic development of youth.
“Sports is a powerful force that shapes individuals, brings communities together, and plays a vital role in nation-building. For youth, sports act as a real-life school that teaches discipline, values and leadership through lived experience,” he said.
Highlighting the broader social impact of sports, the Lieutenant Governor said it serves as a strong medium for empowerment, social awareness and overall societal progress. He stressed that sporting talent can only flourish in a peaceful environment and warned against political interference in sports.
“We must move forward and create a system where there is no room for doubt in the selection process. Politics should not interfere in sports, and talented youth should not be deprived of the opportunities they deserve,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor reiterated the administration’s commitment to extending full support to sportspersons and to developing state-of-the-art sports infrastructure at the grassroots level. He also underlined the need to give special focus to increasing the participation of women and youth in sports and to address the barriers that limit their involvement.
Calling upon policymakers and industry leaders to create new avenues of opportunity through sports, he said investing in sports was an investment in disciplined citizens and a confident future.
“To truly build a sports culture, sports must be brought into the heart of daily community life and closely connected with education and life skills,” he added.
The Lieutenant Governor commended the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Jammu and Kashmir, for its initiative aimed at advancing the national sports agenda through the sharing of best practices in governance, participation, athlete development and performance excellence. He urged sports councils, federations, administrators and officials to chalk out strategic development plans focused on improving performance at international competitions.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Yasha Mudgal; Padma Shri awardee and Olympian Dr Karnam Malleswari, Vice Chancellor of Delhi Sports University; Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar; Director General Youth Services and Sports Anuradha Gupta; senior officials, representatives of the Sports Authority of India, eminent sports personalities, experts and youth in large numbers.
