Jammu, Mar 16 (NVI): Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday reviewed youth sports initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising the need to expand participation across districts and strengthen grassroots sports infrastructure, officials said.
Chairing a review meeting of the Youth Services & Sports Department and the J&K Sports Council, the Chief Secretary assessed the progress of programmes aimed at promoting sports and creative activities among youth across the Union Territory.
Officials informed the meeting that more than 35 lakh youth have already been engaged in sports activities during the current financial year, with the number expected to increase further by the end of the year.
Dulloo said sports and creative arts play an important role in shaping young minds by instilling discipline, teamwork and perseverance, while also providing constructive avenues for channelising their energy.
He observed that in the current context, when drug abuse has emerged as a serious concern among sections of youth in the region, encouraging participation in sports and creative activities becomes even more significant as it keeps young people engaged in positive pursuits.
During the meeting, Commissioner Secretary Youth Services & Sports Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary presented an overview of initiatives aimed at expanding youth participation and improving sports infrastructure across districts.
He said efforts are underway to bring national and international sporting events to Jammu and Kashmir to nurture local talent and generate enthusiasm among sports lovers.
The meeting was also informed that the first-ever Draft Youth Policy for Jammu and Kashmir has been prepared to provide a roadmap for youth empowerment, leadership development and sports promotion.
Director General Youth Services & Sports Anuradha Gupta said the flagship grassroots sports league “Leagues of Classics – Enjoy the Game 1.0” has engaged over 2.23 lakh youth so far in sports such as cricket, football and volleyball, with participation expected to reach around 2.53 lakh by April 2026.
She added that winter sports training programmes were organised earlier this year at Gulmarg, Gurez Valley, Bhaderwah and Sonamarg, providing exposure to young participants in the under-14, under-17 and under-19 categories.
Officials also said youth engagement through the MyBharat portal has increased significantly, with registered users rising from 3.21 lakh in December 2025 to over 7.10 lakh by March 2026.
Secretary J&K Sports Council Nuzhat Gul informed the meeting that between April 2025 and February 2026, the Council organised 1,076 sports activities across 50 disciplines, engaging more than 32.33 lakh youth across the Union Territory.
She added that athletes from Jammu and Kashmir have won 28 international medals and 469 medals at national events during the period.
The meeting also reviewed progress on sports infrastructure projects under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme, with officials stating that over 50 projects across districts are ready for inauguration.
These include a synthetic football ground at Gassu Hazratbal, an Olympic-standard swimming pool at Gindun Rajbagh, and several indoor sports halls in districts such as Bandipora, Shopian and Budgam.
Officials said the government also plans to host several national and international sporting events in the Union Territory in the coming years, including the International Rafting Championship, South Asian Wushu Championship and Asian Aerobic Gymnastics Championship in Srinagar.
Dulloo reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding sports infrastructure and providing wider opportunities for youth, stating that sustained investment in sports will help promote healthy lifestyles, discipline and positive social engagement among young people.(NVI)
