Jammu, December 26:
Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Jammu & Kashmir, Sh. Satish Sharma, today held a consultative meeting with representatives of all recognised sports associations of J&K at the Meeting Hall, MA Stadium, Jammu. The meeting focused on reviewing the present sports scenario and enhancing coordination between the government and sports associations for holistic sports development in the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by Secretary, J&K Sports Council, Ms. Nuzhat Gul, senior officials of the J&K Sports Council, and representatives from various recognised sports associations. The participants shared valuable inputs and raised issues related to sports infrastructure, training facilities, competitive exposure, and athlete development across disciplines.
Listening patiently to the suggestions and concerns raised, the Hon’ble Minister assured full government support in transforming Jammu & Kashmir into a world-class sporting hub. He emphasised the need for sports associations to adopt an athlete-centric and performance-oriented approach, with focused planning to ensure improved outcomes at national-level competitions and enhanced medal prospects.
Sh. Satish Sharma underscored the vital role of sports in fostering health, discipline, social harmony, and peace among the youth of Jammu & Kashmir. He reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to providing modern infrastructure, quality coaching, and regular competitive platforms to nurture sporting talent from grassroots to elite levels.
Highlighting recent achievements, the Sports Minister noted that Jammu & Kashmir has successfully hosted several national and international sporting events, reflecting the region’s growing infrastructure, organisational capability, and sporting potential. He urged sports associations to work collaboratively and proactively to substantially increase the number of such events, stating that sports serve as a powerful medium to showcase the natural beauty, cultural richness, and immense sporting talent of Jammu & Kashmir on national and global platforms.
During the interaction, the recognised sports bodies expressed strong appreciation for the transparency, due diligence, and efficient functioning of the J&K Sports Council. They particularly lauded the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode of financial assistance, under which financial support is transferred directly into the accounts of athletes, terming it a progressive and athlete-friendly reform that has enhanced trust and accountability in the sports ecosystem.
The sports associations also placed on record their appreciation for the sustained and impactful work carried out over the last few years, which has significantly contributed to positioning Jammu & Kashmir as an emerging sporting hub of the country. They acknowledged improvements in infrastructure, athlete support systems, competitive exposure, and governance reforms that have collectively strengthened the sports ecosystem in the Union Territory.
Further, the sports bodies demanded enhanced support for hosting national championships and the National Games in Jammu & Kashmir, emphasising that such marquee events would provide greater exposure to local athletes while further reinforcing J&K’s stature as a premier sports destination at the national level.
On the occasion, Secretary, J&K Sports Council, Ms. Nuzhat Gul, reaffirmed JKSC’s commitment to close coordination with sports associations to strengthen coaching standards, upgrade infrastructure, ensure athlete welfare, and promote inclusive participation with equal opportunities across all sports disciplines.
The meeting concluded on an optimistic note, with representatives of sports associations appreciating the proactive and consultative approach of the Sports Minister. They expressed confidence that such regular interactions would play a significant role in nurturing a vibrant, competitive, and sustainable sports culture in Jammu & Kashmir.
