Sahil Verma
For the first time in the history of Ladakh after attaining the status of a Union Territory, the Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has taken a visionary step by rolling out a comprehensive sports policy viz Ladakh Sports Policy-2025, marking a new era for honing the skills of youth and preparing them for the challenges of life through agile body and sharp minds, bounties which comes along for those spending time in play grounds and arenas with their competitors and team mates.
This remarkable endeavour by the Ladakh Administration is testimony to the fact that those sitting at helm care a lot about the future of this mountainous desert region which had seen lopsided attitude of successive governments since last many decades. With the announcement of Sports Policy 2025, it has become clear that the people at helm means business and their commitment to nurturing talent, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and providing structured opportunities for aspiring youth is unquestionable and seamless. The policy also aligns with the broader national vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has consistently emphasised sports as a vital tool for youth empowerment, nation-building, and promoting India on the global sporting stage.
By giving preference to sports in Ladakh, LG’s administration has not only acknowledged the potential of the region’s youth but has also laid a strong foundation for inclusiveness, career opportunities and national pride through sports. Of course this is just the beginning, as much is in the offing for the Union Territory, with things unfolding one after another.
The role played by the Department of Youth Services & Sports in drafting the new Ladakh Sports Policy-2025 under the visionary leadership of current Lt Governor Ladakh is incredible as the outcome has remained impeccable and flawless.
Now with the New Sports Policy becoming handy, it would become easier for the stakeholders to decide the next line of action for bringing Ladakh on the national and international sports arenas as earlier there was obvious inhibition among those associated with the sports with no clear agenda in sight.
It is pertinent to mention that there are two sports-related bodies under the administrative control of the Department of Youth Services & Sports for the management of sports activities within the Union Territory of Ladakh viz. the Directorate of Youth Services & Sports, and the Ladakh Sports Council.
The New Sports Policy is going to provide a roadmap for administrative departments, agencies, sports federations, educational institutions and other private sector partners and stakeholders, guiding them to move efficiently, purposefully and in a coordinated manner from planning to implementation.
One can say that the days are not far when Ladakh will start shining at the national and international sports events with its sportspersons getting the state of art training as well as edifice after this farsighted move.
Undoubtedly, the Ladakh Sports Policy will systematically nurture and diligently promote a comprehensive sports culture and physical literacy starting from the school level. This aligns with the administration’s aim to position Ladakh on the national and global sports map, with a dedicated focus on enhancing and achieving competitive excellence for Ladakh’s athletes, including more attention to para sportspersons and women, which were neglected till date due to myopic vision of those running the affairs of Ladakh before it became a Union Territory.
Beyond its broad vision and intent, the Ladakh Sports Policy-2025 introduces several concrete and transformative measures which give it real teeth and distinguish it from earlier initiatives. The policy provides for a 4 per cent horizontal reservation in non-gazetted government jobs for outstanding sportspersons and also envisages advance increments, incentives and out-of-turn promotions for in-service athletes, thereby firmly establishing sports as a credible career option for the youth of Ladakh.
A well-defined system of scholarships and special cash awards has been laid down, with financial incentives extending up to an unprecedented Rs 100 crore for Olympic and Paralympic medal winners, besides assured monetary support for achievers at international, national and state levels, including additional monthly incentives for women athletes.
The policy also focuses on the creation and upgradation of world-class sports infrastructure, development of Centres of Excellence, optimum utilization of sports complexes and introduction of sponsorship and advertisement avenues to ensure sustainability. Special emphasis has been laid on advanced training and international exposure of coaches, establishment of sports injury and rehabilitation centres, and addressing the psychological and mental well-being of sportspersons.
Further, the New Sports Policy underscores stakeholder convergence, integration of sports with the education system, adoption of PPP and CSR models, creation of a Wall of Fame to inspire young athletes, establishment of a digital databank of sportspersons, and promotion of sports tourism by leveraging Ladakh’s unique geography, thus presenting a holistic and result-oriented framework for long-term sports development in the Union Territory.
All said and done, this is the time that people should keep their fingers crossed and wait for the final outcome after the full throttle implementation of this policy meant for leading Ladakh to new heights of youth development and progress through channelizing their energy in the most positive manner.
As given in the policy itself, the vision behind this initiative is to establish, within the next ten years, a dynamic and innovative ecosystem that promotes and celebrates participation and excellence in sports. The aim is to create transparent opportunities for the youth with authorities remaining accountable while ensuring that the New Sports Policy would help in overall well-being of sportspersons and also come up with platforms to make them astute nation builders by ensuring their socio-economic development as well.
Of course, this new policy will help in streamlining various bodies and institutions associated with sports to nurture the local talent in the best possible way and ensure that Ladakh’s youth shares podiums whenever and wherever it will participate in the events comprising various sports and games. The recognition and rewards have also been given due importance in this sports policy for Ladakh, which will act as a meaningful incentive for those excelling in sports.
(The author is a Senior Journalist and Media Advisor of the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh).
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