Srinagar 7 Sep : J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday inaugurated the Ellahi Bagh Indoor Sports Stadium built at an expense of Rs 4 crore as part of the PMDP.(PMDP) in downtoen Srinagar.The locals are gratified, particularly the youngsters of the downtown region, for the new facility Sinha stated that the Shahr-e-Khas area has become an important hub of sports activities with youngsters eager to attain the highest level of glory in sports.
“I was informed by the locals that for the first time in 75 years, a leader of the state been to downtown Srinagar.
They said that many places were deemed to be a bad place for a variety of reasons.But, I think the area has come out of its past and is now a brand new location for India’s top athletes.
“In the past two years, downtown seen an enormous increase in the amount of games played and a significant number of youngsters are now taking up professional sports,” Sinha said.
In the midst of applause of hundreds of locals who were at the venue In the midst of cheers from thousands of locals, the L-G read out the names of the best players who have last year represented our country in international sporting events.
“Several young men and women from the city of Srinagar have shown their skills during international championships.The day is coming in the near future when we’ll see the youngsters of Shahr-e-Khas representing India in Olympics and earning respect from J&K as well as India,” Sinha said.
The L-G expressed his gratitude to the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council for making arrangements and handing over of the Ellahi Bagh Indoor Sports Stadium in record time.He also offered his sincere wishes to all athletes.
“Opportunities in sports come knocking when players are open and driven.You only get one chance to live your life and you must do something that is remembered by everyone.
Change your life and be a part in the building of a nation.
“A total of 12 mini-stadia, sports fields and sports fields in various regions of downtown Srinagar have been upgraded by the J&K Sports Council with world quality facilities to foster young talent.
The determination of the youth of downtown to see the tricolour fly has rekindled the tradition of football as well as other sports,” the L-G added.
The growing popularity of sports in J&K is evident in the dramatic changes in various sports disciplines, he said.
“In the three years that have passed we have made unimaginable advancement with regards to the infrastructure, career advancement and the future of the athletes.A conducive environment with new rules has been established that fills in the gaps of the past 70 years.” said the LG.
J&K Sports Council is making efforts to foster athletic talent in every region of the UT, he added.
“We have made sure that the issues faced by players prior to 2019 are not a problem for the new generation of players and each and every help is given to help them develop their skills and give them with more chances,” he said.
Sinha said that the J&K Sports Council is looking for athletes to ensure that facilities for training and other services could be offered to them.
“All athletes can be as Saqib Farooq, Rabia Farooq, Toria Gulzar, Tajim Fayaz and Soliha Yusuf as well as Farhan Ganai and bring glory on behalf of the nation,” he said.
The L-G then urged the youngsters to learn from the greats such as Sadia Tariq, Shaukat Ahmed and Danish Farooq and to dedicate themselves in their respective disciplines.
He added that sports provide an entirely new look to youth, and also the Sports Council and the UT administration are making sure that every player has an possibility to play with more modern facilities and gain the reputation of an athlete of the highest caliber.
“Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav given us the opportunity to reach new levels.
The UT administration is determined to facilitating the dreams of the youngsters to excel in sport and be a part of the nation at all level,” observed the L-G.
“We must bring back the image of Shahr-e Khas, once known as the beating heart of Kashmir.Certain people with particular interest are disturbed by the continuous development happening in J&K.It was also attempted to deceive many of our youngsters.
All the families of the people who misled our children live in a luxurious lifestyle in the cities of the country and overseas and our children are suffering.It is not appropriate to have such people in the modern world,” Sinha said.
In observing that the present day Jammu and Kashmir is moving forward on the road of growth and progress, the L-G asked the parents, elders, and residents of the area to participate in in the efforts to eradicate the threat of addiction to drugs in order to provide an assured and prosperous future for the next generation.
On the many demands of residents of Shahr-e-Khas and players of the clubs for sports, Sinha offered on the on-the-spot directions , and assured them of taking care of each issue with the highest priority.
The young people who attended the occasion also pledged to keep Kashmir free of drug abuse.
At his arrival, Sinha took a round of the new stadium, and interacted with the young athletes and looked around the facilities.
On the occasion, Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu applauded the Lt Governor-led UT government for reaching out to youngsters all over the UT and taking unprecedented steps to promote sports in the areas that were neglected for many years.
Darakhshan Andrabi Chairman of J&K Waqf Board, expressed her his gratitude to UT administration for providing the resources and necessary assistance to the athletes and youth to help them be a success for J&K and the entire country.
Arun Kumar Mehta, the Chief Secretary, congratulated locals as well as the youth of the downtown region on the new indoor sports facility.He also praised the work of the department for sports as well as the J&K Sports Council for promoting sports in the UT.
Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary, Youth Services & Sports, provided a thorough overview of the facilities being provided to athletes at the brand new indoor stadium.He also provided details on the process of the recruitment of sportspersons for various posts that are gazetted and not in accordance with the new sports policy.
sq/arm
