Srinagar: Anurag Thakur, Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs said on Friday that the Valley was known earlier for stone-pelting but is now known for sports activities.
Addressing the inaugural function of Khelo India winter games at Gulmarg ski resort, he said that the local youth known earlier for stone-pelting are now engaged in sports, thereby making the nation proud of them.
“The J&K government has changed the situation in three years which could not be done in 75 years,” he said.
“Places where stone pelting was common, we now have sports flourishing and see budding players. If you see lights on at night, you will find Kashmiri youths practising their sports. That’s how much the situation has changed in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
“It is really a proud movement for all of us that Jammu and Kashmir is hosting the Khelo India Games for the third time. J&K will soon have a number of star athletes as the youth are highly engaged in games, be it Football, Wushu, Cricket, Skiing or other sports activities,” he said.
More than 1,500 players from 29 states and Union territories of the country will take part in the five-day event, the sports minister said.
“Every district in J&K now has an indoor stadium and every village a playfield, which itself speaks about how the situation has changed,” he said.
Thakur said sports not only was a unifying platform but also reflected the soft power of the country.
“Sports is a soft power. When a player wins an international medal, it unites the country. Gold medal by Neeraj Chopra ended India’s 121-year wait for athletics gold at the Olympics. This sparked celebrations across the country,” he said.
Thakur said that last year was big for Indian sports as athletes from various fields excelled in their respective games at international events.
“We had the highest medal tally at the Summer Olympics and Paralympics. P V Sindhu won back-to-back Olympic medals in badminton, which is no mean feat,” he added.
Earlier, the minister e-inaugurated 40 Khelo India sports centres which have come up in Jammu and Kashmir.
Thakur said Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants big sports centres to come up so that sportspersons of the country can excel.
“A sports university is coming up in Manipur and a centre of excellence in winter sports will soon come up in Gulmarg,” he said.
Thakur promised all support to players from Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.
“We will continue our support to you. You need facilities, coaches or funds, we will provide it,” he said.
Referring to the record-breaking tourist arrivals in Jammu and Kashmir last year, the minister said the stakeholders in the sector will have to be innovative to increase the footfall of visitors.
“Snow cricket can be one innovation that can improve tourism in Kashmir,” he said.
Thakur also said that India’s G-20 presidency reflects the country’s growing power on the world stage.
“The G-20 presidency will give a fillip to the country’s image and economy. Fifty-five cities will host 200 meetings of the world’s 20 most powerful countries. This is the growing power of India,” Thakur said.
