Srinagar, Oct 31: On the joyous occasion of UT Foundation Day, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the 67th National School Games, featuring Football U19 and Volleyball U17 Boys. The grand event saw over 15,000 school children hailing from the Kashmir Division, along with 2,000 athletes from across the country, converging for this mega sporting extravaganza.
During his address, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha extended his heartfelt best wishes to all the talented sportspersons participating in the event. He underlined the significance of this prestigious sporting competition, emphasizing that it is the result of a dedicated collaboration between the Department of Youth Services and Sports J&K and the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), showcasing their unwavering commitment to grassroots sports development.
This National School Games, with participation from 28 states, 8 Union Territories, and several SGFI-recognized boards, truly represents the diverse and inclusive nature of India’s sports landscape. Lt. Governor Sinha proudly proclaimed, “Today, the tricolor is flying high in the international sports arena. Eminent sportspersons are emerging from small villages and towns, achieving excellence in international sporting events through their spectacular performances.”
Highlighting the resurgence of sports and the growth of a robust sports culture in the country, Lt. Governor Sinha expressed high hopes of further transformation and success in the Olympics, building on the remarkable performances of Indian athletes at recent events like the Asian Games and Asian Para Games.
The inauguration ceremony provided an opportunity for Lt. Governor Sinha to share the efforts of the UT Administration, under the guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in establishing a robust sports ecosystem and unlocking the true potential of Jammu and Kashmir in the sports sector.
Jammu and Kashmir has embarked on a new journey in sports and sports culture development, complete with adequate infrastructure, the integration of sports into the educational curriculum, access to experts and outstanding coaching, and the provision of opportunities to talented individuals throughout the Union Territory.
The Lt. Governor celebrated the remarkable achievements of promising archer Sheetal Devi from Kishtwar, J&K, who made history by securing three medals in the recently concluded Asian Para Games. He urged collective responsibility in identifying and nurturing such talents for a brighter future.
In a solemn moment, Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha administered an oath to all participants, reminding them to uphold the rules of their respective sports and maintain the spirit of fair play.
To further mark this significant day, the gathering of sportspersons, youth, and officials at Bakshi Stadium took the ‘Rashtriya Ekta Diwas’ pledge, symbolizing unity and solidarity.
Among others present included Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lt. Governor; Sanjeev Verma, Commissioner/Secretary GAD; Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary Youth Services and Sports; Nuzhat Gul, Secretary J&K Sports Council; officers of SGFI; senior officers of Civil and Police Administration; team managers; coaches; prominent sports personalities; and a large contingent of enthusiastic youth.
