Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stated on February 10 that Gulmarg will be a Center of Excellence for winter sports, that efforts are underway, and that “we will achieve the mission” soon.
LG Sinha’s comments came during the inaugural ceremony of the 3rd Khelo India Winter Games at the famous ski resort of Gulmarg.
Addressing the gathering, LG Sinha stated that every effort is being made to put the skills of J&K youth, who are associated with the sports, on display as Gulmarg will soon be the Center of Excellence for the winter sports.
While congratulating the organisers for their efforts in conducting the mega event, the LG said that it is a proud movement for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
“I convey my greetings to each member, including the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the High Altitude Warfare School, the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering, the J&K Sports Council and those associated with the event,” he said.
He further said that Gulmarg will celebrate sporting excellence on snow-covered slopes and will witness the contests of skill, courage and character of the athletes in as many as 11 disciplines. “We transform the sports tournament into a spectacular event at Gulmarg.”
He said that the second Khelo India was a huge success and today, on the 3rd National Winter Games event, the whole country is united, and the next five days are going to be a great occasion to strive for the greatest victory to uphold sportsmanship, equality, friendship and respect for the competitors.
“Sports is such a medium that it can change everything and it will not change the athletes’ behaviour but can change the whole scenario of the world. Just after three months, we are going to hold the G20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
LG Sinha also said Jammu and Kashmir has the best sports infrastructure in the whole country, as “we have stadiums and play fields in every village”.
“Our country was deprived of the soft power of sports for the last 60 years, but fortunately, the efforts of PM Modi paved the way and we are now at the stage of holding mega sports events. PM Modi gave the youth a Naya Aasmaan and a Naya Pankh,” he said.
While further praising PM Modi, LG said that for the last 8-9 years, the country has produced a number of sports heroes, and it’s all because of PM Modi.
“Sports can give a new birth to sustainable development and the Sports ministry left no stone unturned to make Jammu and Kashmir the sports centre of the country,” he added.
The LG said the J&K Sports Council is doing its best to promote the sports and has covered almost every district and every village.
“The budget for Jammu and Kashmir’s sports sector is higher as compared to other states of the country. Maharashtra is known for the highest budget for education and youth sports and if we combine both we are just ₹48 crores away from them,” the LG said.
“Athletes are role models for youth all over the country; we want young people to bring honour to the sports field and the country,” he said.