Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu today stressed on developing the sports infrastructure at the grass root level in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and called for a self -sustaining revenue model for local clubs and academies promoting sports activities.
The Lt Governor made these remarks while reviewing the functioning of Youth Services and Sports department in a meeting here at the Civil Secretariat.
Sh. Farooq Khan, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor; Sh. Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Finance ; Sh. Sarmad Hafeez, Special Secretary, Youth Services and Sports; Dr Saleem ur Rehman , Director General , Youth Services and Sports; Dr Naseem Javaid Choudhary , Secretary J&K Sports Council and senior functionaries of concerned departments attended the meeting.
For developing sports infrastructure at the grass root level, the Lt Governor directed the officers to prepare a list of Panchayats having play-grounds and further asked them to submit a funding proposal for the development of sports infrastructure at the Panchayat level.
“Deputy Commissioners shall identify suitable land for the play-grounds in Panchayats having no play ground”, the Lt Governor remarked.
The Lt Governor further directed the officers to roll out a comprehensive mechanism for developing a self-sustaining revenue model for local sports clubs and academies which will go a long way for their growth and expansion.
The Lt Governor also observed that all the High Schools in Jammu and Kashmir with play grounds shall have a Physical Education Teacher (PeT) to benefit the student community at large.
On seeking a report on progress under the project of Multipurpose Indoor Sports Stadium halls, the Lt Governor was informed that 12 such halls shall be ready by March 2020.
The meeting was briefed about the various initiatives under-taken by the J&K Sports Council to promote and involve more youngsters towards sports; discipline-wise requirement of coaches by the J&K Sports Council; status of Khelo India- Sports for Peace and Development; procurement of sports equipment and other such important matters related to the functioning of Department of Youth Services and Sports. The chair was also informed that the highest number of games in various disciplines have been organized this year in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
It was further informed that this year, increased number of sports persons from Jammu and Kashmir excelled at International level by winning several Gold medals in various International events.