Srinagar (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir administration is taking steps to boost water sports across the Union Territory, Principal Secretary, Education and Technical Education Department, Navin Kumar Choudhary said today.
While interacting with athletes during a ceremony at Banquet Hall, Srinagar, Choudhary said that Jammu and Kashmir has tremendous potential in water sports and the UT Government was taking every possible step to boost this sport.
Choudhary, who is also President, Association for Rowing & Sculling (JKARS) said some vital equipment has been installed for training purposes of the athletes. He hailed the donors of these athletes, saying that their contribution will help the Government to make a remarkable change in water sports. The athletes also displayed the equipment at Banquet Hall Srinagar.
The function was attended by all the district presidents and members of JKARS who hailed the efforts of Association President. They said that Choudhary himself raised funds through sponsorships for the procurement of water sports equipment which will give a boost to water sports in J&K and sponsorship of J&K team for the upcoming world championship in Indore.
JKARS is the first sports association in J&K which has so far availed funds of its own for procurement of equipment and sponsorships for team J&K for upcoming international event endogenously without support from the government.
On the occasion, it was decided that Jammu and Kashmir would be hosting its first ever indoor national rowing championship soon and will also be procuring more equipment to make J&K viable for national and international events.
While assuring all sincere efforts to make J&K an international arena for water sports, Choudhary said, ”Through public donations, J&K is taking a big step in the promotion of water sports and has already sanctioned for the procurement of water sports equipment worth Rs 7 crore through state government which would be procured very soon.”
“Jammu and Kashmir is blessed with natural water resources and has potential to provide opportunities for local youth who are bestowed with enormous natural talent and liking for water sports,” he said adding it was good to know that so far J&K has produced six international players in water sport.
Choudhary stressed National Coach and prominent athlete, Bilqees Mir, to work for profiling the athletes and provide equal opportunities for youngsters. He said that there was a greater need to create a platform for youth in every district of J&K and involve them in water sports.
“Our youth has lot of talent and we will avail every possible help to boost water sports in J&K, and I hope in the upcoming world championship most of the players from J&K participate,” he said.
