Sopore (Baramulla), Oct 05 (KNO): Commissioner Secretary Higher Education Department Jammu & Kashmir, Ram Niwas Sharma on Monday said the future of the region lies in its youth and sports can play a key role in channelising their energy towards positive pursuits.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the first-ever three-day North Kashmir Women’s Sports Festival at Government Degree College for Women (GDCW), Sopore, Sharma, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the event was much more than a sporting competition.
“This is not a sports event but the future of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, describing the participation of around 900 athletes from 19 educational institutions as a proud moment for J&K as well as the country.
Sharma said channelising youth energy through sports could help keep young people away from social ills, particularly drug abuse, which he said J&K had been grappling with in recent times.
“Sports is the only way to shun the path of ill aspects of society,” he said, urging the participating athletes to make the most of the platform.
Addressing the athletes, the Commissioner Secretary said, “You are our real wealth,” adding that their participation represented a statement about the future of Jammu and Kashmir. “Whatever you are going to do is surely going to go best for Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
Sharma called for greater focus on increasing working days in educational institutions, urging the media to avoid excessive focus on holidays. “There was a time when hardly 100 working days were a challenge. I will be happy when our schools open for 220 days,” he said.
The three-day mega women’s sports festival has brought together athletes from across North Kashmir, with participation from 14 degree colleges and five higher secondary schools.
The participants are competing across seven disciplines, including volleyball, carrom, kabaddi, badminton, table tennis, rope activities and yoga.
Principal GDC for Women Sopore, Prof Subeena Chiloo, said the initiative was aimed at providing girls with an opportunity to showcase their sporting skills and encouraging them to step out of their homes and participate in competitive activities.
Media Secretary Dr Aadil Mohi-ud-Din said the initiative promised to be a celebration of youth, energy and competitive spirit, while providing young women a platform to demonstrate their talent—(KNO)