Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Technical Education, Information Technology, Molvi Imran Raza Ansari, today said that sports events like Thang-Ta create awareness among younger generation about the importance of healthy lifestyle, besides developing self-defense skills.The Minister was speaking at an award distribution function of 24th State Thang-Ta Championship organized by Jammu and Kashmir Thnag-Ta Association in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council at Shere-I-Kashmir Indoor Sports Complex.Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para was also present on the occasion.The 5-day Championship started on December 2 in which 1233 players from across the state took participated.The Minister said that other than physical and mental development, sports activities play a vital role to widen vision and in gaining self-confidence which is key to excel in any field of life.Lauding the efforts of Jammu and Kashmir Thang-Ta Association for organizing the events, the Minister said such activities is helpful in exploiting the talent, besides creating awareness about the significance wellbeing and healthy life.He said that the sports activities help in grooming youth to inculcate qualities to become global leaders and play a positive role in shaping society towards further betterment.
The Minister said that Government has taken various innovative initiatives to develop a quality sports infrastructure to provided better platform to the sportsperson to sharpen their skills, besides establishing Mini Stadiums at district level across the state under PMDP.Ansari announced that Jammu and Kashmir Thang-Ta Sports Academy for the state which will be made functional from March 2018.The Minister urged the students to take an active part in co-curricular activities for overall development and assured that basic sports infrastructure will be made available to them on priority.He said that as educators, it was our responsibility to nurture young minds and bringing out the best in them. He added that there is a need to give focused attention so that students with different abilities and interests will be able to exploit their potential to the full.Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para said that overhauling sports sector of Jammu and Kashmir needs lot of commitment from the government. “Sports department produce champions and they need patronage,” he said. “Government is highly committed toward their welfare and we are doing our best to overhaul the overall sports scenario of the State,” he added.On the occasion, the Minister, flanked by Para gave away awards among players and organizers of the events.Chief Sports Officer Haji Abdul Qayoom, Sports Officer Central Gazala, various coaches and other sports officials were present on the occasion.