Srinagar, July 14 (KNS) Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, visited the Polo Ground Sports Complex Srinagar, J&K Sports Council today. He was welcomed by Sh. Sarmad Hafeez (IAS), Secretary to J&K Govt. Youth Services and Sports, Sh. S.C. Chibber Director YSS and Smt. Nuzhat Gull, Secretary, J&K Sports Council.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya received a warm reception with flower bouquets and traditional izbandh soz. He then visited the Synthetic Turf, where he interacted with players from the U17 Indian National Team, J&K Sports Council Football School and Academy trainees, Downtown Heroes Football Club Boys and Girls teams, and other school children.
The Hon'ble Minister praised 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 with enthusiasm.
Following this, the Hon'ble Minister visited the Indoor Sports Complex, where hundreds of excited athletes and school children awaited his address.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelHe enjoyed a performance of the local Kashmiri and Dogri Folk Dance and impressive demonstrations by Gymnastics and Pencak Silat athletes.
The Hon'ble Minister then inaugurated the "My Youth My Pride" Summer Activities Calendar for 2024 and distributed sports kits to various Khelo India Centres. Conveying the best wishes of Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, he expressed his 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 the audience that the Government of India will fully support the development of the sports ecosystem in J&K.
Secretary Youth Services and Sports, along with the Secretary J&K Sports Council, thanked the Hon'ble Minister for his time and encouraging words, and pledged to elevate J&K's sports development to the next level.(KNS)