Gulmarg: Asserting that the sports infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir is now at par with the top sporting states of the country, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said sports can be a vehicle of transformation for society and unite the people of the country.
“Sports can be a vehicle of transformation not only for an individual but for a society as well,” Sinha said addressing the inauguration ceremony of the 3rd edition of Khelo India Winter Games here, 55 kilometres from Srinagar.
The mega sports event was declared open in the presence of LG Sinha and Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and I&B, Anurag Thakur.
The LG said hosting the Khelo India Winter Games was a proud moment for Jammu and Kashmir.
“The entire country at the moment is united by the 3rd Winter Games dream. Each player participating will become the best ambassador of J&K. With the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, this sporting spectacle will strengthen the bond of goodwill and unite all the players as one family,” the LG said.
According to an official press release, on behalf of the people of J&K, the LG welcomed the players, officials, and sports enthusiasts and invited all the guests, who have come from every corner of the country to enjoy J&K’s hospitality, to enjoy games and to enjoy the incredible sights and sounds of Jammu Kashmir.
Sinha expressed hope that the 1,500 players from across the country participating in the games will go back as ambassadors of Kashmir.
“I wish the participants in these games will act as ambassadors for Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
Sinha said the sports infrastructure has seen a significant improvement in J&K in the past few years.
“J&K’s sports budget is a mere Rs 38 crore less than a big state like Maharashtra. Our budget is more than states like Kerala,” he said and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking a keen interest in the development of sports infrastructure.
“Our nation was deprived of the soft power of sports for the past 60 years but that has changed due to the interest taken by PM Narendra Modi,” he added.
“In the past few years, J&K has given many sporting heroes to the country. Continuous efforts of the UT government in developing world-class sports infrastructure and facilities in every nook and corner of UT, vibrant sports culture, and sports budget at par with bigger states have added a new dimension to J&K’s Sports sector,” said the LG.
“Welfare of sportspersons is our priority. Special efforts are being made to ensure a dignified life for our sportspersons and to encourage youth to choose sports as a career. The participation of more than 50 lakh youth in various sporting events last year is a testimony to this commitment,” he added.
“With the help of the Union Sports Ministry, we will work for establishing a Center of Excellence for the Winter Games. The location has already been identified. All efforts are being made to provide opportunities for sportspersons to excel in their career,” the LG noted.
On the occasion, LG and Union Sports Minister e-launched 40 Khelo India Centres across Jammu Kashmir. The Centres have been dedicated to all the budding sportspersons of J&K UT.
Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary, Youth Affairs & Sports J&K, and Nuzhat Gul, Secretary, J&K Sports Council shared the achievements of the J&K UT in the national and international sports arena.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to LG; Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujla, GOC, 15 Corps; representatives of various sports organizations, prominent sports personalities and sports lovers witnessed the inaugural ceremony.
