JAMMU Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the performance of the Youth Services and Sports Department and the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, with emphasis on expanding youth engagement in sports and creative activities across all districts of the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Youth Services and Sports Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Director General Youth Services and Sports Anuradha Gupta, Secretary Sports Council Nuzhat Gul and other senior officers.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary reviewed various initiatives undertaken to strengthen the sports ecosystem through grassroots competitions, talent identification programmes, national-level sporting events and digital youth engagement platforms.
Dulloo emphasised that sports and creative arts play a vital role in shaping the character of young people by instilling discipline, teamwork, perseverance and a sense of responsibility. He noted that participation in sports and creative activities such as art, music and cultural programmes helps channel the energy of youth in a constructive direction while nurturing leadership skills, confidence and a competitive spirit.
Highlighting the growing concern of drug abuse among youth in Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Secretary stressed that sports and creative platforms provide a positive environment that keeps young people meaningfully engaged and away from harmful influences. He said sustained investment in sports and youth initiatives at the grassroots level would help build resilience among young people and guide them towards a disciplined and healthy future.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary presented an overview of the department’s efforts to expand youth participation in sporting activities while strengthening sports infrastructure across districts so that young talent can access training facilities closer to their homes.
He also informed that the first-ever Draft Youth Policy for Jammu and Kashmir has been prepared to provide a roadmap for youth empowerment, leadership development and promotion of sports. He added that sports-based initiatives are being integrated into the government’s anti-drug campaign to encourage healthy engagement among youth.
Director General Youth Services and Sports Anuradha Gupta informed the meeting that mass participation programmes have witnessed overwhelming response from youth across the Union Territory. She said the flagship grassroots league “Leagues of Classics – Enjoy the Game 1.0” has already engaged more than 2.23 lakh youth as of March 13, 2026, in sports such as cricket, football and volleyball, with participation expected to reach around 2.53 lakh by April 2026.
To promote winter sports in mountainous areas, snow skiing training programmes were organised earlier this year in Gulmarg, Gurez Valley, Bhaderwah and Sonamarg for participants in Under-14, Under-17 and Under-19 categories.
The meeting also reviewed the national-level sports conference “SRIJAN – The Making of a Legacy,” organised earlier this year to deliberate on strengthening grassroots sports ecosystems across the country.
Officials further informed that online engagement through the MyBharat portal has significantly expanded youth participation. Registered users increased from 3.21 lakh in December 2025 to over 7.10 lakh by March 2026. Additionally, more than 10,000 youth engagement activities have been uploaded on the Youth Engagement and Empowerment Portal (YEEP).
The Chief Secretary was also briefed about upcoming initiatives, including inter-school, district and UT-level competitions in 36 sports disciplines, “Leagues of Classics – Enjoy the Game 2.0” across all 20 districts, and “Aarohan 2026 – Viksit J&K Young Leaders’ Dialogue and National Youth Festival,” scheduled to be held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre in Srinagar with participation of around 1,400 youth from across the country.
Other planned initiatives include Mini Marathon 2.0 (Srinagar Edition), the “Back to Bachpan” programme aimed at reviving traditional games such as Gilli Danda and Stapoo, and Spring and Autumn Art Festivals to encourage creativity and cultural expression among youth.
The department also proposed the establishment of cluster-based sports clubs in 788 school clusters across Jammu and Kashmir to identify and nurture sporting talent in the 8–14 years age group, following training protocols aligned with the Sports Authority of India.
Presenting the Sports Council’s performance, Secretary Nuzhat Gul informed that 1,076 sports activities across 50 disciplines were organised between April 2025 and February 2026, engaging over 32.33 lakh youth. The UT government has set a target of 37.50 lakh youth participation for the financial year 2025–26, which is expected to be exceeded.
Athletes from Jammu and Kashmir have also delivered strong performances at national and international levels, winning 28 international medals and 469 medals at national events.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed sports infrastructure projects being developed under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. Officials informed that ₹53 crore out of the approved ₹55 crore has already been utilised.
More than 50 sports infrastructure projects are nearing completion across districts, including a synthetic football ground at Gassu Hazratbal, an Olympic-standard swimming pool at Gindun Rajbagh, and several indoor sports halls in districts such as Bandipora, Shopian and Budgam. Major projects like Khel Gaon at Budgam and synthetic hockey and football turfs at Jagti and Bandhurakh are also progressing.
Looking ahead, the Sports Council plans to host several national and international events between April 2026 and March 2027, including the International Rafting Championship, South Asian Wushu Championship and Asian Aerobic Gymnastics Championship in Srinagar.
The Council also plans to launch new initiatives such as a Women Rugby League, Thang Ta League, and Chess and Carrom Leagues to provide wider opportunities for athletes across age groups.
Concluding the meeting, the Chief Secretary reiterated the government’s commitment to developing world-class sports infrastructure and expanding opportunities for youth. He said sustained investment in sports and youth engagement would not only nurture sporting talent but also promote healthy lifestyles and positive social development among young people in Jammu and Kashmir.
