Srinagar: The Department of Youth Services and Sports on Saturday reviewed sports infrastructure projects, youth engagement programmes and district action plans for 2026-27 while adopting a district-based monitoring framework aimed at strengthening sports development across Jammu and Kashmir.
The review meeting was chaired by Commissioner Secretary Youth Services & Sports Shahid Iqbal Choudhary and attended by senior departmental officers and District Youth Services and Sports Officers from all 20 districts.
The department said the new framework focuses on participation, infrastructure utilisation, inclusion and execution efficiency with emphasis on ensuring balanced regional sports development.
During the meeting, 521 sports infrastructure projects worth over ₹644 crore were reviewed. These include 344 ongoing works costing ₹396.72 crore and 177 new projects proposed under the 2026-27 action plan involving ₹247.34 crore investment.
District-wise progress, expenditure patterns, project timelines and implementation bottlenecks were also reviewed in detail.
Dr Shahid Iqbal said the department aims to create a more participatory and inclusive sports ecosystem involving schools, panchayats, local communities, clubs and youth institutions in talent identification and sporting activities.
He directed districts to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and ensure faster completion of projects through better coordination with district administrations and executing agencies.
The department fixed timelines for project execution, directing completion of land identification within 30 days, technical sanctions within 45 days and administrative approvals and tendering within 60 days.
Officials said infrastructure is being developed across 16 sports categories including football, cricket, volleyball, badminton, athletics, kabaddi, wrestling and indoor sports facilities.
Out of the total projects, 176 relate to multi-purpose playfields while 98 are linked to volleyball infrastructure.
The meeting also reviewed proposals for Khel Gaons, Khel Bhawans, Border Sports Academies, sports science centres, indoor stadiums, synthetic courts, youth hostels and wrestling akharas.
Special focus was laid on improving sports access in border, tribal and far-flung areas while ensuring better utilisation of existing infrastructure and regular sporting activities.
The Commissioner Secretary appreciated districts including Shopian, Anantnag, Budgam and Kulgam for better implementation and utilisation performance and directed districts with lower expenditure levels to expedite pending works.
