Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday inaugurated the two-day National Level Sports Conference – SRIJAN, organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports in Jammu. The conference aims to identify actionable strategies to strengthen the sports ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, prepare a roadmap for the effective implementation of the National Sports Policy 2025 and J&K Sports Policy 2022, and outline measures to build a resilient and future-ready generation.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor stressed the need to integrate sports with education and essential life skills, stating that sports, when embedded in the academic curriculum, can become a powerful instrument for the holistic development of youth.
“Sports is a powerful force that shapes individuals, brings communities together, and plays a vital role in nation-building. For youth, sports serve as a real-life school that teaches discipline, values, and leadership through lived experience. It is a strong medium for empowerment, social awareness, and overall societal progress,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that sports must be kept completely away from politics, observing that talent can only be nurtured in a peaceful and fair environment. “If India is to become a true sporting powerhouse, sports and politics must remain strictly separate. Politics should not interfere in sports, and talented youth should never be deprived of the opportunities they deserve,” he asserted.
He called for a transparent and credible selection system, stating, “We must move forward and create a system where there is no room for doubt in the selection process.”
Reiterating the administration’s commitment, the Lieutenant Governor said that the government will continue to extend full support to sportspersons and develop state-of-the-art sports infrastructure, especially at the grassroots level. He also laid special emphasis on encouraging greater participation of women and youth in sports and removing the barriers that limit their access and opportunities.
“Investing in sports means investing in disciplined citizens and a confident future. To truly build a sports culture, we must bring sports into the heart of daily community life and connect it deeply with education and life skills,” he added.
The Lieutenant Governor commended the Department of Youth Services and Sports, J&K, for its unique initiative to advance the national sports agenda through the exchange of best practices in governance, participation, athlete development, and performance excellence. He urged sports councils, federations, and administrators to prepare strategic development plans aimed at improving India’s performance in international competitions.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Yasha Mudgal, Commissioner/Secretary, Youth Services and Sports; Padma Shri Dr. Karnam Malleswari, Olympian and Vice-Chancellor, Delhi Sports University; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Anuradha Gupta, Director General, Youth Services and Sports; senior officials, representatives of the Sports Authority of India, eminent sports personalities, experts, and a large number of youth.
