Diplomat Correspondent
Bijbehara, (DD) Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said that Jammu and Kashmir has undergone a remarkable transformation in sports infrastructure over the past five years, creating a vibrant sporting ecosystem that is inspiring lakhs of young people to actively participate in games at various levels.
Speaking during the Bijbehara Premier League match in Anantnag, the LG said that world-class sports facilities have been developed across the Union Territory, with the government committed to further expanding them.
“Five years ago, only 2.5 lakh youth were participating in sports activities in J&K. Today, that number has touched 40 lakh. This is not just a statistic – it reflects the energy, talent, and determination of our youth,” Sinha said.
He noted that sports activities are now taking place in every corner of Jammu and Kashmir, including national-level tournaments, with young players not only pursuing games as a passion but also as a professional career path.
The LG credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting the upgradation of J&K’s sports infrastructure under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) and highlighted the implementation of a new sports policy.
“The policy ensures that youth are selected for the sports department and sports council purely on the basis of merit. In order to achieve a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir and to fulfil all your dreams, the government has been working with full dedication. I believe your participation and courage will continue to take J&K towards a more peaceful environment,” he said.
The LG also congratulated the people of J&K, especially Anantnag, for the peaceful conduct of this year’s Amarnath Yatra, during which over 4.14 lakh pilgrims visited the holy cave.
“These yatris will act as peaceful ambassadors of Kashmir, spreading the message of harmony and further boosting tourism,” he added.
He said that after a gap of 36 years, Legends Cricket League matches were held in J&K last year, signalling the revival of international cricket in the region.
“I have seen things which once looked impossible in J&K. Sports, especially cricket and volleyball, send a positive message among people and strengthen the bond of unity,” he remarked.
He further said the government is committed to tapping the untapped tourism potential of Kashmir to attract more and more visitors to the Valley(DD)