NOV 10:Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Shri Satish Sharma, today laid the foundation stone for the upgradation of the Playfield at Chankhan Sopore, reaffirming the government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening sports infrastructure and promoting youth engagement across North Kashmir.
Addressing a gathering of enthusiastic young athletes, local representatives, and residents, the Minister emphasized that the government, under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha, is taking concrete steps to ensure that sports become an integral part of community life in Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that modern facilities in semi-urban and rural areas will provide talented youth with better opportunities to hone their skills and compete at national and international levels.
Highlighting the administration’s commitment to athlete welfare, Shri Sharma announced that rules have been notified to provide government jobs to outstanding sportspersons who bring laurels to the Union Territory. This policy aims to recognize sporting excellence and motivate young athletes to pursue their passion with dedication and discipline.
He further added that sports infrastructure projects like the one at Chankhan Sopore are part of a larger roadmap to promote inclusive growth and channelize the potential of the youth towards positive development. The upgradation work will include improved play surfaces, spectator facilities, and better amenities for training and events.
The Minister also praised the local sports community for its enthusiasm and participation, saying that youth from North Kashmir have consistently shown great promise in various sporting disciplines. He assured that the government will continue to identify and nurture talent from the grassroots level through targeted schemes and competitions.
The event concluded with community members expressing gratitude for the initiative, which they said would significantly uplift sports culture in the region.
