Inaugurates South Kashmir Volleyball League in Shopian
Says youth no longer spectators, will build own future
Younus Rashid
Shopian, May 14: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday inaugurated the South Kashmir Volleyball League-2026 at the Indoor Sports Stadium, Shopian and said every serve, spike and dive during the tournament reflects the determination of youth to overcome challenges and move ahead as part of the nation’s mainstream.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the league, the LG said the tournament was not merely a sports event but a message that youth would no longer remain spectators and would build their own future.
“Every serve, every spike and every dive during this four-day tournament is a declaration that the energy of our youth is overcoming challenges on the path of progress, and that they are moving forward as an integral part of the nation’s mainstream,” he said.
Sinha said the league was started a few years ago to provide a unique platform to youth and added that the Sports Department and Sports Council have succeeded in nurturing talent and promoting a new sports culture in the region. He said the tournament would also become a strong pillar of the Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir campaign.
The Lieutenant Governor said nearly 40,000 youth across Jammu and Kashmir have so far been connected with volleyball competitions and sports activities. “These are not just numbers but the foundation of a new generation,” he said.
Referring to the achievements of players from Jammu and Kashmir, he said the youth won a bronze medal in the 48th Junior National Volleyball Championship in 2022 and secured a gold medal in the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 held in Bihar.
Sinha said sports infrastructure projects worth Rs 22 crore have been developed in Shopian during the last five years, including the cricket stadium at Wachi, synthetic basketball and volleyball courts at Rangkadal and football turf at Rajat.
The LG said additional projects worth around Rs 8.5 crore are currently under execution in Shopian and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to strengthening sports infrastructure for youth in Jammu and Kashmir.
He said 20 Khelo India Centres are functioning across South Kashmir, where around 600 trainees are receiving regular coaching and sports equipment. Five of these centres, he said, are located in Shopian.
“Every sporting talent in South Kashmir should receive proper opportunities and guidance,” Sinha said, adding that role models in society should guide the younger generation and help youth trapped in drug addiction return to the right path.
The LG said he would visit Shopian again within the next few days for the Nasha Mukt padyatra and appealed to people to participate in large numbers.
Speaking on the anti-drug campaign, the Lieutenant Governor said the Jammu and Kashmir Police was taking strict action against drug traffickers. “If action is taken against even a single innocent person, the concerned officer will be held accountable. But those trying to protect drug smugglers should understand that no power in the world can save them,” he said.