Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, IT, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, today outlined a bold and transformative vision to position Jammu and Kashmir as the sports epicentre of the country while addressing the concluding session of the Chintan Shivir at SKICC, Srinagar.
The Minister emphasized the immense potential of Jammu and Kashmir to emerge as the winter sports capital of India, alongside its growing reputation as a hub for water sports. He called for creation of a dynamic and inclusive sports ecosystem that promotes sporting activities from grassroots to national level, backed by robust infrastructure development and effective policy support.
Highlighting the need for focused intervention, Satish Sharma urged the Union Ministry for Youth Affairs and Sports to extend liberal financial assistance for development of world-class sports infrastructure and the expansion of sports programmes, particularly in border and far-flung areas. He stressed that such initiatives would not only harness the immense talent of youth in these regions but also provide them with meaningful opportunities for growth and engagement.
Batting strongly for establishment of a dedicated Sports University in Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister said that such an institution would serve as a centre of excellence for training, research and capacity building, further strengthening the region’s sports ecosystem and nurturing future champions.
The Minister also underscored the need to promote border and rural sports, saying that despite challenges, youth in these areas possess unmatched passion, resilience and patriotism. He called for targeted incentives and structured programmes to ensure their active participation and success in various sporting disciplines.
Referring to Jammu and Kashmir’s growing achievements in sports, the Minister highlighted the region’s commendable performances in national events, including progress in the Santosh Trophy and participation in premier tournaments like the Ranji Trophy. He said these achievements reflect the untapped potential of local youth and the positive impact of sustained investment in sports.
Satish Sharma also drew attention to the immense economic potential of the Kashmir willow bat industry, which accounts for nearly 70 percent of the global bat production. He called for strategic measures to promote and modernize this sector, stating that it has the capacity to revolutionize bat manufacturing while generating substantial employment opportunities for local youth.
Sharing his personal journey, the Minister spoke about the transformative role of sports in shaping character and discipline. He emphasized that sports can serve as a powerful tool to counter the growing menace of drug abuse in the region by channelizing the energy of youth towards constructive and healthy pursuits.
He reiterated that engaging youth in sports not only fosters physical and mental well-being but also strengthens social cohesion and national pride. He lauded various national initiatives aimed at youth empowerment and described them as instrumental in nurturing a generation of nation-builders.
The Minister further expressed confidence that with sustained efforts, strategic investments and the continued support of the Prime Minister, Jammu and Kashmir will witness unprecedented growth in the sports sector. He asserted that the region is poised to emerge as a leading hub for sports, tourism and economic development, contributing significantly to the nation’s progress while paving the way for a vibrant, empowered and drug-free society.