Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Information Technology and Technical Education, Moulvi Imran Raza Ansari today said efforts are afoot to develop sports infrastructure including stadia of international standards in Jammu and Kashmir to groom sporting talent in the State.The Minister said this while interacting with a team of renowned sports personalities led by Commentator Mr Charu Sharma who called on him here today.The Inspector General of Police, Kashmir S J M Geelani, SSP Srinagar and other officers were present on the occasion.The Minister said that the Government is contemplating to develop a high-tech Indoor Stadium at Srinagar on private-public partnership mode on the pattern of existing such facility in Jammu. He said work on remodeling of Bakshi Stadium Srinagar is apace at a cost of Rs 40 crore.
Mr. Charu briefed the Minister about the sports potential of the State which he said needs to be harnessed in a big way.He said Kashmir has produced cricket players like Parvez Rasool adding that the youth of Kashmir have immense potential to be developed as the sports personalities of national and international repute.The Minister assured them that every possible help would be provided by the State government for promotion of sports and athletic activities including organizing of sports events and tournaments in cricket and football disciplines. He said efforts are on to involve maximum youth to participate in different games across the State.The Minister appealed the sports personalities to provide their expert guidance in developing sports infrastructure and coaching to youth to hone their skills in a better way.