SRINAGAR – Athletes from Jammu and Kashmir require significant enhancements in sporting infrastructure, training programs, and financial backing to effectively compete on national and international stages, according to remarks made by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Information was available with The Chenab Times detailing concerns raised by Abdullah at an event in Srinagar, where he emphasized that the Union Territory lags behind in sports infrastructure. He underscored the necessity for sustained investment to enable athletes to convert their dedication and hard work into tangible achievements.
Abdullah highlighted the scarcity of synthetic tracks within Jammu and Kashmir, noting that local athletes are often pitted against competitors who benefit from superior facilities and year-round training regimens. “I can count the synthetic tracks on fingers. I can see only four. When we cannot provide our athletes with synthetic tracks, what medals can we expect from them?” he questioned, pointing out the disparity in consistent practice opportunities.
The former Chief Minister also advocated for increased utilization of Jammu and Kashmir’s high-altitude regions for sports and training purposes. He stressed the importance of supporting both established and emerging sports disciplines, lamenting the disproportionate focus on cricket, which he stated captures over 80 percent of attention and funding, followed by football, with other sports receiving considerably less.
Abdullah linked broader participation across various sports to India’s potential for improved performance in global competitions such as the Commonwealth Games. “If we really want to achieve something in competitions like the Commonwealth Games and other international events, we have to participate in different kinds of sports,” he stated, advocating for a more diversified approach to sports development.
Furthermore, the former Chief Minister drew a connection between the promotion of sports and initiatives to combat drug abuse among youth. He suggested that consistent sporting opportunities could serve as a crucial deterrent, keeping young individuals engaged and away from illicit substances. “Staying away from drugs cannot be a slogan for just one day in the year. It has to be for 12 months in a year, and that will happen only when we provide infrastructure for sports,” Abdullah remarked.
He concluded by assuring that the government would pursue efforts to foster the development of sports across the entirety of Jammu and Kashmir, signaling a commitment to addressing the identified infrastructural and developmental gaps in the region’s sports sector.
The Chenab Times News Desk