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SRINAGAR: The Department of Youth Services & Sports carried out a comprehensive Union Territory-level review of sports infrastructure, youth engagement programmes and district action plans for 2026–27, while laying down a time-bound and outcome-oriented roadmap for expanding sports access and strengthening youth development initiatives across Jammu & Kashmir.
The review meeting was chaired by Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services & Sports, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, and attended by Director General Youth Services & Sports, senior officers of the Department and newly posted District Youth Services & Sports Officers from all 20 districts. The exercise aimed at a structured monitoring and planning framework focused on participation, infrastructure utilisation, inclusion and execution efficiency. The Department outlined a district-driven approach aimed at ensuring that sports infrastructure translates into regular sporting activity, youth engagement and talent development at the grassroots level.
A detailed review of 521 projects involving an investment of over ₹644 crore was undertaken during the meeting. The portfolio includes 344 ongoing works with an estimated cost of ₹396.72 crore and 177 new projects proposed under the Action Plan 2026–27 involving an estimated investment of ₹247.34 crore. During the review, district-wise progress, expenditure patterns, project execution timelines and implementation bottlenecks were examined in detail. Districts were asked to move towards measurable outcomes in terms of participation, outreach and infrastructure usage rather than limiting focus to physical construction alone.
Dr Shahid Iqbal said the Department intends to build a more participatory and inclusive sports ecosystem in which schools, panchayats, local communities, clubs, associations, federations and youth institutions play an active role in identifying talent and sustaining sporting activity. He said sports infrastructure must function as community assets that promote discipline, fitness, leadership and constructive youth engagement.
The Commissioner Secretary directed all districts to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and ensure faster completion of projects through close coordination with district administrations and executing agencies. A clear implementation timeline was prescribed under which land identification is to be completed within 30 days, parallelly technical sanctions within 45 days, administrative approvals and tendering within 60 days. The Department is presently developing infrastructure across 16 sports and activity categories including multi-purpose playfields, volleyball, badminton, football, cricket, basketball, athletics, kabaddi, wrestling and indoor sports facilities. Out of the total projects reviewed, 176 relate to multi-purpose playfields while 98 are linked to volleyball infrastructure, reflecting the Department’s focus on accessible, community-based sports infrastructure with high youth participation.
Several major initiatives proposed across districts were also reviewed, including Khel Gaons, Khel Bhawans, Border Sports Academies, sports science centres, synthetic courts, indoor stadiums, youth hostels, wrestling akharas and district-level training facilities.
Projects aimed at improving sports access in border, tribal and far-flung areas were given particular emphasis during the discussions. The meeting also stressed the need for better utilisation of existing infrastructure, regular sporting calendars, coaching support and district-level talent mapping. Officers were directed to ensure that infrastructure development is linked with actual sports participation and athlete progression.
The Commissioner Secretary appreciated districts including Shopian, Anantnag, Budgam and Kulgam for strong utilisation and implementation performance, while directing districts with lower expenditure levels to intensify monitoring and expedite pending works. Institutional strengthening measures were also discussed during the meeting, including efficient cadre management, timely regularisation and promotions, improved coordination between field offices and capacity building of departmental staff. It was decided that district-level review meetings would now follow across Jammu & Kashmir to monitor implementation, remove bottlenecks and ensure that the Department’s youth and sports initiatives deliver visible outcomes on the ground.
