Srinagar: To keep youth attached with sports, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has stressed for development of playfields in every block of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that Sinha has taken a serious note that poor sports infrastructure was creating hurdles in the performance of players as Jammu and Kashmir has only 137 play fields against the requirement of 2500.
“Lieutenant Governor has issued strict restrictions for promotion of sports. It has been decided that a playfield should be developed in every block of Jammu and Kashmir. The step is being taken to keep children attached to sports and away from drugs,” the official said.
The official said that lack of play fields have been affecting the performance of players. “The existing play fields are also in bad shape. Only a few grounds have drainage systems in place,” the official said.
“There is also a dearth of trained coaches almost in every sport. Our youth are well talented but are not getting proper training due to lack of play fields, coaches and other requirements,” the official said.
Jammu and Kashmir has produced some of the sports persons, who represent national teams in cricket, football, water sports, and chess. “While comparing to other Indian states or UTs, the number is very less. This is because we don’t have infrastructure available here,” the official added.
Jammu and Kashmir has a population of over Rs 1.2 crore and there is a requirement of 2500 play fields as per the figures of JK Sports Council.
JK has only 137 playing fields available to its huge number of talented sportsmen.
As per the population (71,62,764) in Kashmir, the requirement of playing fields is 1196. And in Jammu (53,78,538), 1302 playing fields are required.
Srinagar district has only 29 play fields and estimated play fields required as per its population (1236829) are 150. Budgam district has only four play fields and its population of 753745 requires 100 playgrounds. Anantnag district in south Kashmir has 17 play fields and as per its population of 1078692, it needs 270 playgrounds. Pulwama district has only four play fields for its population of 560440 while its requirement is 80. (KINS)