Consequent to recent discussions with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti regarding the importance of providing adequate opportunities to the youth of J&K, Governor N. N. Vohra has written to her to suggest that the State Government’s Sports Policy should be reviewed to provide adequate facilities and incentives to enable promising sports persons to develop their talents to full potential and win laurels for their State. This would discourage talented sports persons from migrating to represent other States for whom they are reported to be winning medals. Governor observed that it would be enormously beneficial if, under Chief Minister’s guidance, an Action Plan with at least a 3-5 year perspective, is drawn up early, with clearly defined targets and timelines.Recalling his earlier discussions with the Chief Minister in this context, Governor noted that initiatives are required to be taken on various fronts for providing our youth with meaningful opportunities and enabling them to be imbued with positive aspirations.
Governor has suggested that Chief Minister may determine whether the extant State Sports Policy adequately meets the existing and arising challenges and suggested a planned approach for establishing high class infrastructure and coaching facilities in identified games and sports; identification of talented young boys and girls with high potential and providing them all required support and facilities for undergoing training with known national level Coaches; establishing an annual calendar of State level sports and games competitions which would, interalia, enable the identification of talent.Governor has recalled that a Resolution was passed by the Jammu University Council for organizing the first ever Inter-University Sports Championship. This Championship, held recently, involved the participation of over 700 sportsmen and women from 12 Universities and institutions of higher education in J&K who participated in six sporting events. Governor observed that in the course of time this Championship should be rotated and hosted by other Universities in J&K which have reasonable facilities, particularly Kashmir University.