Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 18: A new framework that envisages incentives for youths pursuing a career in sports would be soon put in place, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said today.
“I promise a new framework that envisages incentives for youths who pursue a career in sports. We will start with schools and colleges which are ideal places to instil a sporting culture, and identify raw talent for further grooming,” Sayeed said here.
Chairing the 55th meeting of the J-K Sports Council at Civil Secretariat, the chief minister urged youth to explore the ever-growing world of sports.
“I vow to nurture talent and rekindle the desire amongst our youth and children for excelling in sports, which is one of the most highly-paid professions in the world,” he said.
Asking the sports administration to motivate youth, Sayeed, who is also the President of the J-K Sports Council, said the new generation seems more inclined towards watching rather than playing sports.
“Healthy mind stays in a healthy body. We need to reverse the trend lest our youth will end up becoming couch potatoes,” he said.
The chief minister stressed upon a new competitive framework which focuses on creation of quality infrastructure in schools and colleges in the first instance.
“A talented youth needs a good coach and support from his family and Government to prove his mettle, both at national and international levels. We should set our eyes on the National Games to improve our scores and then aim higher,” he said, highlighting the need for taking extra-curricular activities in schools and colleges beyond rituals and symbolism.
The Government recently reconstituted the State Sports Council by nominating 29 members who have excelled in the field of sports.
The Chief Minister directed members of the Sports Council to interact with physical teachers and staff of schools, colleges and universities to get feedback for devising a ‘Sports Itinerary’ in which inter-school, inter-college, inter-district and inter-division level events in all categories of sports are organised as regular annual features.
“Sports Council should also have an eye for spotting talent which can be honed for achieving something big. Who knows we have huge talent, as good as any in the country, hiding somewhere,” he said.
Placing high priority on improving the condition of sports stadia and playgrounds, Sayeed tasked the State Sports Council to depute teams for making on-the-spot assessment so that renovation and repair work are completed without further delay.
He said the Government will release sufficient funds so that our playfields again reverberate with youth and sports.
“I have myself seen the poor condition of our stadia and playgrounds across the State. These require urgent repair for which adequate funds will be sanctioned,” he said.
Earlier, Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, informed the Chief Minister that Rs six crore have been released for carrying out urgent repairs and renovation of the sports infrastructure, including stadia.
“The Department is also expecting Rs 200 crore special package from the Centre, besides Rs 25 crore which is being pursued with Relief and Rehabilitation Department under World Bank package for restoring flood-damaged infrastructure,” the secretary said, adding that deputy commissioners will now function as Chairman of revised District Sports Councils as directed by the Chief Minister.
He said the notification for utilising services of in-service qualified coaches and outstanding sports-persons has been issued and the applications received are being examined by the department.
The Chief Minister had directed the Sports Council to identify all outstanding sports persons, who have been appointed in various Government departments, so that their experience in the field of sports can be better utilised in coaching of youngsters.
Till the office-bearers are elected formally, the governing body, also unanimously chose amongst its Members, Javed Shah, Sports Promoter, as Secretary, Zameer Thakur, President of J&K Football Association as Joint Secretary, Kashmir and Shiv Kumar Sharma, President J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association, as Joint Secretary, Jammu, to run the Council’s day-to-day affairs.
Minister for IT, Youth Services & Sports & Technical Education, Imran Raza Ansari, Principal Secretary, Planning & Development, B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, Secretary, Technical Education, YS&S, Hirdesh Kumar, besides nominated Members of J&K Sports Council attended the meeting.
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