J&K sports sector witnessing rapid development under new Sports Policy: Govt
Facilities being extended to Panchayat levels
SRINAGAR: The J&K government on Tuesday said it was establishing state-of-art sports facilities across J&K UT with an aim of taking sports to Panchayat level for budding sportspersons of the UT.
The government said that various steps have been taken by the LG’s administration to create world-class sports infrastructure in J&K.
Recently, sports policy has been introduced to make J&K a powerhouse in sports. Every kind of support is being extended to the local sportspersons who strive hard to make UT and the nation proud in different sports disciplines. The sports activities are being conducted throughout the year while infrastructure work is being executed on massive scale. The focus is not merely on activities like Cricket and Football but equal importance is being given to games like Volleyball, Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, Water and Winter Sports which were ignored in the past.
“Sports budget for Jammu and Kashmir is higher than biggest several states of the country and infrastructure is being augmented to highest level and J&K government is keen to provide platform to the youth,” the government in a handout said
Recently, Bakshi stadium which was in dilapidated condition duo to poor policies of earlier regimes was dedicated to public after being upgraded and revamped at a cost of Rs. 59 crores.
“Bakshi Stadium has been a central place of youth for decades, nurturing many dreams and making local sportspersons famous all over the country. This Stadium infused the passion of sports into the lives of millions of people and the legacy has been passed to the new generation,” LG Manoj Sinha recently said.
There were clear directions from the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to develop MA Stadium in Jammu as per ICC Standards and Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar as per FIFA Standards.
“Today, the sports sector in the UT is witnessing rapid development. World class facilities and coaching is being extended to the youth at grass root level to showcase their talent in various sports disciplines,” the official handout said, adding that the officials were redoubling their efforts to make J&K sporting hub of the country.
Recently Manoj Sinha inaugurated sports infrastructure projects worth Rs 18.10 cr and dedicated the new sports facilities to the local youth. The projects inaugurated include Synthetic Football Turf at Khel Gaon Nagrota worth Rs 5 cr; Mini Stadium at Bhour Camp, Chatha costing Rs 1 cr and Playfield at Purmandal at a cost of Rs 2 cr. The Mini Stadium at Bhour Camp will benefit 5000 youth by accommodating games like Cricket, Volleyball, Kabaddi.
Funded under CAPEX, JKIDFC, Khelo India, and PMDP, the inauguration and foundation laying of these projects marks the beginning of next phase of modernization of sports infra in J&K.
Moving ahead towards developing state-of-the-art sports infrastructure in the UT, the government is creating modern facilities and developing sports culture even in remote areas for talented sportspersons of the UT.
The Government is providing sports infrastructure and facilities to the young budding sportspersons of the UT.
“Now, it is the responsibility of the coaches and officials to hone the talent and improve J&K’s medal tally in national and international level competitions,” the handout reads.
In the last few months, J&K Sports Council has emerged as a powerful vehicle for identification of platforms for young talent. Time-bound targets are being fixed for the coaches in different disciplines of various games.
KV News
