Srinagar, Aug 29 (NVI) :Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday paid tributes to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand on National Sports Day and said sports are the “most honest teacher” that instil discipline, unity and the spirit of nation-building among youth.
Addressing a function at the Shalimar Campus of SKUAST-Kashmir, Sinha said the playing field never lies and teaches individuals where they stand and what they need to do to improve.
“There are no shortcuts in sports. There is only hard work, opportunity, and a test of your character,” he said.
Recalling Dhyan Chand’s legendary contribution to Indian hockey, the lieutenant governor said his performances made the world acknowledge India’s immense sporting talent.
Sinha said sports are not merely about winning medals but also about developing resilience, unity and the ability to overcome setbacks.
“Sports produce young people who know how to fall and then rise again to hoist the flag of victory,” he said.
Highlighting the potential of Jammu and Kashmir’s youth, Sinha envisioned a future where every gram panchayat harnesses sports, academies in small towns nurture talent and athletes from rural areas get access to scientific training available at major centres of excellence.
He also stressed the need to strengthen sports science, management and technical expertise in universities and institutions to create trained coaches, physiotherapists and sports managers.
Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir should aspire not only to participate in international sporting events but also to host them.
“Our achievements in sports over the past six years prove that if young people are prepared for sports with dedication, the region will create an entire era of champions,” he said.
The lieutenant governor urged corporate houses to support athletes at the talent-identification stage instead of waiting until they win medals. He said building champions was a collective responsibility involving society, coaches, support staff and parents.
He called upon youth to compete with dignity, accept defeat gracefully, lead by example and inspire future generations.
Sinha also urged young people to use sports as a means to rise above differences of language and faith and contribute to society by mentoring the next generation.
Referring to the campaign against drugs, he commended the youth for their participation in the drug-free campaign and said development should not be measured by gross domestic product alone, but also by the health, energy and confidence of citizens.
“A healthy India is a fearless India. A sporting India is a confident India. And a confident India is an invincible India,” he said.
On the occasion, Sinha administered the National Sports Day pledge and felicitated top-performing sportspersons of the 69th National School Games.
MoUs were also exchanged between the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, J&K, and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation, Dani Sports Foundation and Common Services Centres for promotion of sports in the Union Territory.
Senior officials, representatives of sports organisations, sportspersons and a large number of youth attended the event.(NVI)
