Srinagar, Dec 15: Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta on Thursday said the government has created a “world-class infrastructure” in Jammu and Kashmir in the last couple of years. He said sports is the priority of the government and a lot of resources have been earmarked for its upliftment.
Inaugurating the ‘Nation First Winter Sports Festival 2022’ at the Synthetic Turf Football Stadium, TRC ground here, Dr Mehta was accompanied by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Secretary, YS&S and Secretary J&K Sports Council. Other officers from the police and civil administration were also present on the occasion.
The Chief Secretary on the occasion interacted with the people and football clubs, teams, academies and with the registered trainees of the sports council football academy and distributed the sports kits among them.
He enjoined upon the Council to organise such activities in other parts of J&K. He told them to engage youth in every part in different sporting activities so that they are able to continue the extracurricular activities in winter also. He advised them to utilize the facilities created recently fully for the benefit of the youth of J&K.
“Winter sports provide opportunities to youth to continue showcasing their talent during these months also. The LG administration is going to provide every sort of infrastructure and facility to the sports lovers so that they do not have to stagnate themselves during any part of the year,” he said and encouraged the youth to excel in sports by taking full advantage of these facilities.
Dr Mehta observed that the administration this year gave the opportunity to some 50 lakh youth to demonstrate their sporting skills across the length and breadth of J&K. He declared that it has been made a reality to have a playfield in every panchayat and at least an Indoor Stadium in each district.
He stated that youth outside the twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar can also play games till late hours at the stadia provided with floodlights in each district. He said a culture of sports and cultural activities is taking root in J&K. “Every person, young or old, is encouraged to take up either sports or culture to channelize his/her energy towards better and healthy activities,” he said.
Later, a football match was played under floodlights on the ground as an inaugural opening match of the sports festival for sports lovers of the valley.
