Jammu and Kashmir should not merely participate in international sporting events but actively host them, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stated on Saturday, emphasizing the region’s potential to showcase its athletic talent on a global stage. Addressing a gathering on National Sports Day, Sinha highlighted the significant progress made by J&K’s sportspersons over the past six years, asserting that dedicated preparation and sustained effort can cultivate an era of champions.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that Sinha underscored the critical need to bolster sports science, management, and technical expertise within universities and institutions. This enhancement, he explained, is crucial for producing a cadre of trained coaches, physiotherapists, sports managers, and other professionals essential for building a robust sporting ecosystem. “It is a resolve filled with infinite possibilities,” Sinha remarked, reiterating that the region’s sporting achievements over the last half-decade serve as proof that with focused preparation, young individuals can usher in a new generation of accomplished athletes.
The Lieutenant Governor paid homage to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, commemorating his iconic performances and recognizing him as a profound symbol of Indian sporting excellence. Sinha noted that Dhyan Chand’s brilliance compelled the world to acknowledge India’s considerable sporting prowess. He described every stroke of Dhyan Chand’s hockey stick as embodying discipline, dedication, and willpower, stressing that sports transcend the mere acquisition of medals, fostering resilience, unity, and a spirit of nation-building. “Sport is life’s most honest teacher,” Sinha stated, adding that the playing field offers an unvarnished assessment of one’s current standing and the path to improvement, with no room for excuses, only hard work, opportunity, and a test of character.
Sinha also emphasized the pivotal role of youth in sports, suggesting that athletics provide a powerful avenue for realizing dreams. He expressed strong confidence in the young athletes of Jammu and Kashmir, viewing them as representatives of India’s bright future. He articulated a vision where every gram panchayat leverages the power of sports, academies in smaller towns nurture emerging talent, and daughters of farmers receive the same advanced scientific training as athletes in major city Centers of Excellence. This inclusive approach, he believes, will unlock untapped potential across the region.
The Lieutenant Governor urged young people to contribute to the national objective of building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047, emphasizing that true champions are forged through discipline and diligent effort, not through shortcuts. He also stressed the importance of leading by example, competing with dignity, accepting defeat with grace, and inspiring subsequent generations. Sinha encouraged the youth to utilize sports as a means to bridge divides of language and faith, and to actively mentor the next generation of athletes. This cross-cultural and intergenerational mentorship, he indicated, is vital for the sustained growth of sports.
In a call to action for the corporate sector, Sinha appealed to business houses to support athletes at the crucial stage of talent identification, rather than waiting until they have achieved medal-winning status. He highlighted the collective responsibility shared by society, coaches, support staff, and parents in the process of identifying, nurturing, and shaping sporting champions. This collaborative effort, he suggested, is fundamental to creating a supportive environment for aspiring athletes.
Sinha commended the youth for their active participation in the campaign against drugs, asserting that national development should be measured not solely by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but also by the health, energy, and confidence of its citizens. “A healthy India is a fearless India. A sporting India is a confident India, and a confident India is an invincible India,” he declared, linking physical well-being and athletic engagement to national strength and security.
Recalling Major Dhyan Chand’s enduring legacy, Sinha shared the hockey wizard’s simple yet profound message: “find your goal.” He stated that this message remains highly relevant today, irrespective of one’s chosen field, whether it be sports, science, or public service. “Whatever field we stand in, whether it is the field of sports, science, or public service we must identify our goal, move towards it, and achieve it together,” he urged, promoting a sense of shared purpose and collective achievement.
During the event, the Lieutenant Governor administered the National Sports Day pledge and felicitated top-performing sportspersons from the 69th National School Games. Additionally, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged between the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, J&K, and prominent organizations including the Abhinav Bindra Foundation, Dani Sports Foundation, and Common Services Centres. These agreements are aimed at fostering the promotion and development of sports within Jammu and Kashmir, signaling a concerted effort to enhance the region’s sporting infrastructure and opportunities.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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