LG Sinha Inaugurates South Kashmir Volleyball League 2026 in Shopian | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday inaugurated the South Kashmir Volleyball League 2026 at Shopian and underscored the role of sports in youth engagement and social transformation.

On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor also inaugurated a Multipurpose Indoor Sports Hall at Arhama, constructed at a cost of Rs 4.94 crore, dedicating the facility to the youth of the region.

Addressing the gathering, Sinha said the volleyball league, launched in 2021, has evolved into a key platform for promoting competitive sports culture and expanding volleyball activities across South Kashmir. He described such initiatives as a shift in youth participation from spectatorship to active contribution in shaping their future.

He said the league contributes to the broader “Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir” campaign by channeling young people towards constructive sporting activities and discouraging substance abuse.

The Lieutenant Governor stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, efforts have been made to strengthen sports infrastructure and create opportunities for athletes to perform at national and international levels.

He further said that youth engagement in sports and related programmes is helping strengthen national integration and supporting nation-building efforts.

Highlighting development in Shopian, Sinha said the district has seen significant investment in sports infrastructure, with around Rs 22 crore spent over the past six years and additional projects worth Rs 8.80 crore currently under way. He also noted the operationalisation of 20 Khelo India centres across South Kashmir, including five in Shopian, training around 600 young athletes.

The Lieutenant Governor urged young sportspersons to serve as role models and guide others towards a drug-free and healthier lifestyle. He also reiterated the administration’s commitment to eliminating the narco-terror ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.

The four-day South Kashmir Volleyball League is being organised by the Volleyball Association JK in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council.