Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday paid tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand on National Sports Day and called for greater investment in nurturing young sporting talent, saying sports play a vital role in shaping discipline, resilience and nation-building among youth.
Addressing a National Sports Day function at the Shalimar Campus of SKUAST-Kashmir, Sinha said sports are not merely about winning medals but about building character, unity and perseverance.
Describing Major Dhyan Chand as one of India’s most enduring sporting icons, the Lieutenant Governor said his legacy continues to inspire generations of athletes across the country.
Sinha said the future of Indian sports depends on identifying and supporting talent at an early stage. He urged corporate houses and private institutions to invest in young athletes during the talent-recognition phase rather than waiting until they achieve success at national or international levels.
Highlighting the role of youth in nation-building, he said sports provide opportunities for young people to develop confidence, leadership and teamwork. He expressed confidence in the sporting potential of Jammu and Kashmir and said the region’s achievements in recent years demonstrate the capabilities of its athletes.
The Lieutenant Governor envisioned a sports ecosystem in which every Gram Panchayat promotes sporting activities, local academies nurture talent and aspiring athletes from rural areas receive access to quality coaching and scientific training.
He also stressed the need to strengthen sports science, management and technical education in universities and institutions to create a pool of coaches, trainers, physiotherapists and sports administrators.
Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir should aim not only to participate in international sporting competitions but also to host major sporting events in the future.
Calling upon young people to contribute to the vision of a developed India by 2047, he urged them to compete with dignity, accept defeat gracefully and use sports as a means of fostering unity across social, religious and linguistic divides.
The Lieutenant Governor also lauded the participation of youth in anti-drug campaigns and said a healthy and active population is essential for national progress. He remarked that development should be measured not only by economic growth but also by the health, confidence and energy of citizens.
During the event, Sinha administered the National Sports Day pledge and felicitated top-performing athletes of the 69th National School Games.
On the occasion, memoranda of understanding were signed between the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation, Dani Sports Foundation and Common Services Centres for the promotion and development of sports in Jammu and Kashmir.
The event was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department, Ashwani Kumar; Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary; SKUAST-Kashmir Vice-Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg; IGP Kashmir Sujit Kumar; Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo; Director General, Youth Services and Sports, Anuradha Gupta, along with sportspersons, youth and representatives of various organisations.
