J&K should aim to host International Sporting events, showcase talent globally: Manoj Sinha
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said Jammu and Kashmir should aim beyond participating in international sporting events and work towards hosting major competitions to showcase the region’s sporting talent to the world.
Addressing a National Sports Day function, Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir’s progress in sports over the past six years demonstrated that sustained preparation and commitment could create “an entire era of champions”.
Paying tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, Sinha urged young people to contribute towards building a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
“Champions are forged through discipline and effort, not shortcuts,” Sinha said, calling on corporate houses to support athletes at the talent-identification stage instead of waiting until they win medals.
He said athletes could succeed only through the collective efforts of society, coaches, support staff and parents.
Sinha outlined three responsibilities for young people: leading by example, competing with dignity, accepting defeat gracefully and inspiring future generations. He also encouraged youth to use sports to overcome differences of language and faith and mentor younger athletes.
He praised young people for participating in the drug-free campaign and said development should not be measured by GDP alone, but also by the health, energy and confidence of citizens.
Recalling Major Dhyan Chand’s achievements, Sinha described the hockey icon as one of India’s most enduring symbols of sporting excellence and urged young people to identify their goals and work collectively towards achieving them.
Sinha said sports go beyond winning medals, helping develop resilience, unity and the spirit of nation-building.
“Sport is life's most honest teacher,” he said, stressing that the playing field reflects an athlete’s strengths and weaknesses and demands hard work, discipline and character.
Highlighting the role of youth, Sinha said sports give wings to dreams and expressed confidence in young athletes from Jammu and Kashmir, calling them an important part of India’s future.
He envisioned a system in which every Gram Panchayat uses sports to nurture talent, academies in smaller towns provide opportunities to young athletes and farmers’ daughters receive access to scientific training comparable to athletes at Centres of Excellence.
Sinha also stressed the need to strengthen sports science, management and technical education in universities and institutions to develop future trainers, physiotherapists and sports managers.
During the event, Sinha administered the National Sports Day pledge and felicitated top-performing athletes from the 69th National School Games.
Memorandums of Understanding were also exchanged between the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, J&K, and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation, Dani Sports Foundation and Common Services Centres for promoting sports in Jammu and Kashmir.
with inputs from PTI
