- Pitches for reviving traditional sports in rural, border areas
SRINAGAR: Minister of Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, today chaired a marathon meeting to review the functioning of Youth Services and Sports Department. The meeting was attended by Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez, Director General, Youth Services and Sports Rajinder Singh Tara, Special Secretary YS&S, Jyoti Devi Salathia, Secretary, J&K Sports Council, Nuzhat Gul, Additional Secretary YS&S, Narayan Dutt and other officers and officials from the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports and J&K Sports Council.
The maiden meeting of the Minister with the department of YS&S was aimed to ensure collective efforts towards realizing the vision of a vibrant sports ecosystem in the UT that fosters inclusive participation, competitive excellence, modern sports infrastructure and robust Youth engagement. While speaking on the occasion, Minister assured that every possibility would be explored in reviving the traditional sports in rural and border areas. He said that our youth is highly capable and they should act as torchbearers in eradicating the social evils like drug addiction. He stressed that it is high time that the established business houses of the UT would help in building high class sports infra and other such facilities under corporate social responsibility sector.
The Minister said the present regime under the leadership of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, is committed to provide all possible support to budding sports persons including world class facilities and equipment. He hoped that the officers and officials of the would work with the same zeal and commitment to take the department of Youth Services & Sports to the newer heights of success. Earlier, the meeting had two comprehensive presentations by DG YS&S and Secretary J&K Sports Council.
In the first presentation, DG YS&S discussed the mass engagement of large number of youth in games and sports and highlighted the unprecedented growth of sports infrastructure in J&K under Capex and JKIFDC projects during last 4 years. A detailed description was also presented about the infrastructure of the department’s Government College of Physical Education Ganderbal, Sports infrastructure developed in the college campus and the courses offered by the college. He also informed about the participation and achievements of the J&K youth in 67th National School Games.
He also threw light on preparations in place for hosting 68th National School Games being organized under the aegis of School Games Federation Of India in 4 games viz Wushu, Judo, fencing and football from November 7th to December 10th at Jammu. Director General Sports apprised that besides sports activities, the department is engaging lakhs of youth in the activities being organized on special days and occasions like Republic Day, Independence Day, Swachta Pakhwada, Environment Day, Arbor day etc.
Sarmad Hafeez informed about the recently introduced J&K Sports Policy saying that the policy outlines a structured approach towards developing sports infrastructure, promoting sports education and creating a support system for athletes through scholarships and awards and other incentives. He also shed light on the sports scholarships being awarded to the meritorious students in the category of Sports through DBT mode by YS&S Department.
Secretary J&K Sports Council, in her presentation, highlighted the role of the organization in building a world class sports infrastructure across J&K. She also highlighted the initiatives of the Sports Council in establishing Sports Academies, Sports Excellence Centers and such allied facilities for channelizing and polishing the sports talent of the J&K youth under Khelo India Scheme. She stated that it is due to such facilities that J&K youth is achieving great laurels in National and International Sports events.
During the meeting, threadbare discussion was held on the issues related to Rehbr-e- Khel (REK) and NYKs wherein the department was entrusted to work on all modalities and take all the necessary steps for better future prospects. Besides, the deliberations were also held on appointment of outstanding sports persons, regarding which, the Minister asked the concerned department to complete the process at the earliest.
