Government Pledges Top-Tier Sports Facilities for Jammu and Kashmir
Ganderbal, November 10, 2024 - Satish Sharma, the Minister for Youth Services and Sports, reaffirmed the government's dedication to enhancing sports infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir. This commitment was highlighted during his visit to the concluding event of the Talent Hunt U19 Cricket Tournament at Safapora, Ganderbal, on Sunday.
The tournament, spanning from June to November 2024 and organized by Friends Humanitarian Trust, Safapora, saw the participation of 16 enthusiastic teams. Addressing the crowd, Minister Sharma emphasized the importance of sports in youth development, urging young people to engage actively in both sports and academics. "Sports are instrumental in channelizing the potential of our youth, deterring them from social ills, and fostering discipline and teamwork," he stated.
The Minister also outlined upcoming sports events, including marathons planned in various constituencies, following the successful event in Srinagar. He personally interacted with the players, awarding trophies, certificates, sports kits, and cash prizes to commend their sportsmanship.
In addition to the cricket tournament, Sharma visited Manasbal Lake, where he discussed plans to transform this significant natural asset, known as Asia’s deepest freshwater lake, into a premier water sports destination. Under the directive of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, a feasibility study is underway to assess the potential for water sports activities at Manasbal, which could boost local employment and provide a platform for local athletes to compete on national and international stages.
Further, the Minister inspected a site in Kohistan Colony, Safapora, proposed for a new multipurpose sports ground. He instructed revenue authorities to hasten the formalities and stressed the importance of road accessibility to the site, ensuring that the development would not only cater to local needs but also align with broader regional connectivity improvements.
The visit was marked by the presence of key officials including the Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR) Ganderbal, Divisional Sports Officer, District Youth Services and Sports Officer (DYSSO), Tehsildar Lar, and other senior figures from the sports and revenue departments.
This initiative underscores the government's vision of empowering the youth through sports, promoting physical health, and providing avenues for their growth and excellence in athletics.