LG wants Govt to swing into action

Bijbehara, Aug 13: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday urged the National Conference (NC) led government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to end the long delay in appointing 235 candidates selected for the Youth Services and Sports Department.

Speaking at the Bijbehara Premier League (BPL) cricket event in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district,

LG Sinha said the recruitments were made “fairly and transparently” on merit after reforms in the J&K Sports Council rules, which were originally framed under a 2014 High Court order and amended recently.

“Two hundred thirty-five appointments have been stalled for quite some time now. These recruitments were made under the sports quota in various departments after changes to the earlier policy. I urge Sports Minister Satish Sharma to fast-track their joining,” he said.

The LG said that some of the selected youth had sought to meet him.

“I instead passed a word to them to approach the Sports Minister. They might have knocked on your doors too,” he told Sharma from the dais.

LG Sinha said the decisions on the matter could be taken after joint deliberations.

He used the occasion to describe sports as a driving force in J&K’s “social movement against drug abuse.”

“Whether cricket, hockey, football, volleyball, or any other game, sports have become an instrument of social transformation. It has helped us in fighting drug abuse,” the LG said.

On infrastructure gains, he said J&K had undergone a “remarkable transformation” in sports over the past five years, with world-class facilities developed in both Kashmir and Jammu divisions and new turfs of cricket and other games laid.

“Five years ago, only 2.5 lakh youth participated in sports activities. Today, the number is 40 lakh. This is not just a statistic; it reflects the energy, talent, and determination of our youth,” he said, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s support under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) and the implementation of a new sports policy.

Earlier, MLA Srigufwara-Bijbehara Syed Bashir Ahmad Shah (Veeri) said the town had a “tremendous potential” in cricket and had produced national and international players, including India all-rounder Parvez Rasool, who also played in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Veeri also recalled a friend from the early 1990s, a fast bowler who captained J&K and Indian Airlines but narrowly missed selection to the Indian team.

He urged the formation of a dedicated cricket academy.

Sports Minister Satish Sharma, in his address, said the government was committed to improving sports infrastructure and tapping raw talent across disciplines.

Commissioner Secretary Social Welfare and Youth Service and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez; Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid; DIG South Kashmir Range Javed Iqbal Matoo; SSP Anantnag, Amritpal Singh and Secretary J&K Sports Council Nuzhat Gul also spoke at the event.

A large number of youth turned up to watch the proceedings and also witnessed a BPL cricket match.

Later, LG Sinha said it was a pleasure to interact with players at the BPL in Bijbehara.

In a post on X, he said, “BPL is widely considered the most prestigious cricket tournament in J&K, which also serves as a platform to showcase talent and earn their place at the national and international level.”

‘J&K MADE ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE IN INDIAN SPORTING LANDSCAPE’

Meanwhile, an official spokesman in a statement said that LG Sinha attended the trophy unveiling ceremony of the BPL at Anantnag, interacted with the players and officials and congratulated the organisers of the BPL.

The LG said that the BPL was far more than an ambitious competition for the youth of Anantnag and its neighbouring districts.

“This tournament has also made a major contribution to improving the quality of sports throughout J&K,” he said.

LG Sinha highlighted that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, J&K has made its rightful place in the Indian sporting landscape.

“In the past five years, we have invested in creating modern sports infrastructure, cultivated a suitable environment for players, and focused on strong strategy and effective execution at the grassroots level to foster sports culture,” he said.

The LG said that the remarkable progress in J&K’s sports sector was due to the hard work and unwavering determination of sportspersons, dedicated coaches, and the tireless efforts of officials of the J&K Sports Council.

“J&K, since 2020, has adopted a player-centred approach to develop players and maximise their ability. It has also been ensured that children and youth are provided with ample opportunities to participate in sports activities. This widespread reach reflects our commitment to inclusive sports development across the entire J&K,” he said.

LG Sinha commended the BPL for its emergence as a powerful anti-drug movement, successfully channelising the energy of youth by connecting them with sports.

International cricketer hailing from Bijbehara, Parvez Rasool, was also present at the occasion.

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