BARAMULLA: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Science & Technology, Information Technology, Youth Services & Sports, and ARI & Trainings Satish Sharma today laid the foundation stone for the upgradation of the Playfield at Chankhan Sopore here to strengthen sports infrastructure and promote youth engagement across North Kashmir.
MLA Sopore, Irshad Rasool Kar; senior officers of J&K Sports Council, District officers and representatives from local sports associations were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister emphasized on the government’s commitment towards nurturing sports culture across Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that the Government, under the leadership of CM Omar Abdullah, is making continuous efforts to strengthen the sports ecosystem by upgrading playfields, creating new sports infrastructure, and ensuring access to better training facilities for young athletes.
He further added that the upgradation of Chankhan Sopore playfield will not only provide modern sports amenities but also open new opportunities for youth engagement, recreation, and community development. “Sports is a powerful medium for channelizing the energy of our youth in the right direction, and the government is fully committed towards ensuring that every block and town has quality sports infrastructure,” he stated.
MLA Sopore, Irshad Rasool Kar, lauded the initiative and expressed gratitude to the Minister for his focused approach towards promoting sports in North Kashmir. He added that the upgraded playfield would become a hub of sports activities for local youth and encourage participation in outdoor physical and cultural pursuits.
Officers of J&K Sports Council briefed the Minister about the technical details of the project and assured timely completion of works with high-quality standards.
It was informed that the project, being executed by Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council at an estimated cost of Rs. 100.00 lakhs, aims to transform the existing playfield into a modern and well-equipped sports arena. It was given out that the upgraded facility will cater to multiple sporting disciplines and provide local youth with a dedicated space to hone their talent and participate in state and national-level competitions.
The Minister, on the occasion, also took a review of various works being undertaken for strengthening sports infrastructure across Sopore. He directed the officers to speedy completion of these works.
On the sidelines of the event, the Minister also interacted with local youth, sports enthusiasts, and community members, who expressed gratitude for the government’s continued efforts to boost sports development in Sopore and adjoining areas.
While responding to the demands of sportspersons and local youth, the Minister said that the Government is determined to provide all support and assistance to sportspersons, adding that rules have been notified under which a Government job is provided to outstanding sports persons.
The Minister, on the occasion, also watched the finals of the Rahim Memorial Tournament and distributed prizes among the winning and runner-up teams.
