 Early Times Report
NEW DELHI, Jan 10: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Information Technology, Youth Services and Sports and Transport, Satish Sharma, today met with Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and projected several issues and initiatives related to sports upgradation aiming transformation of Jammu and Kashmir into a national hub of sports excellence.
The Minister submitted a comprehensive Memorandum outlining an ambitious, multi-sectoral roadmap to upgrade sports infrastructure, promote youth engagement, generate employment and position Jammu and Kashmir as a premier destination for sports tourism and high-performance training.
Highlighting cricket as a passion for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Satish Sharma sought sanction of international-standard cricket stadiums at Srinagar and Jammu. He stated that the absence of such facilities has long restricted the region from hosting national and international fixtures. He emphasized that these stadiums would not only revive top level cricket in the UT but also boost tourism and inspire a new generation of athletes.
The Minister also proposed creation of a Border Sports Development Circuit spanning Kathua-Samba, Akhnoor-Chhamb, Poonch-Nowshera-Rajouri, Uri-Baramulla-Kupwara and Karnah-Gurez, aimed at harnessing the sporting talent of youth living in border and far-flung areas. He sought special grants for development of Dangal Akharas, cycling tracks, hockey and football fields besides provision of sports equipment in all border panchayats to strengthen grassroots sports and youth engagement.
To promote employment through sports, Satish Sharma requested for a financial support of Rs 600 crore over five years for establishing 10 Border Sports & Employment Hubs (BS-EH), five each in Jammu and Kashmir, equipped with multi-sport facilities, skill training classrooms and residential infrastructure. He also proposed a Border Youth Sports Apprenticeship Programme with an outlay of Rs 300 crore, a Coaches & Trainers Wage Support Scheme of Rs 150 crore and a High-Altitude & Winter Sports Livelihood Programme of Rs 120 crore for areas like Gurez, Tangdhar and Teetwal. |
