Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya visited the Polo Ground Sports Complex in Srinagar yesterday. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya afterwards visited the Synthetic Turf, where he interacted with players from the U-17 Indian National Team, J&K Sports Council Football School and Academy trainees, and Downtown Heroes Football Club Boys and Girls teams among other school children. 

Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister appreciated the launch of the Blue Cubs Initiative by the All India Football Federation, awarded to JKSC, aimed at enhancing grassroots football. He also flagged off a bicycle rally, in which athletes from Khelo India Center Cycling, Budgam, participated. Later, the Union Minister visited the Indoor Sports Complex, where hundreds of excited athletes and school children were present. 

The Union Minister, while participating in a cultural bonanza presented on the occasion, lauded the local Kashmiri and Dogri Folk dances besides impressive demonstrations by Gymnastics and Pencak Silat athletes. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviyaalso inaugurated the “My Youth My Pride” Summer Activities Calendar 2024 and distributed sports kits among various Khelo India Centres. 

Conveying the best wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Minister expressed pleasure at the large participation of children in multiple sports and commended the efforts of the J&K administration, particularly the Youth Services and Sports Department and the J&K Sports Council. He noted that J&K is rapidly becoming a sports hub and praised the J&K Sports Council for hosting National Team camps in Kashmir. He assured that the Government of India will fully support the development of the sports ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.