Srinagar, May 14 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday inaugurated the South Kashmir Volleyball League-2026 in Shopian and dedicated the newly constructed Multipurpose Sports Indoor Hall at Arhama to the youth, stating that sports activities are playing a vital role in steering young people away from drugs and towards nation-building and positive social transformation.
As per news agency JKNS, Sinha inaugurated the South Kashmir Volleyball League-2026 at Shopian.
He also dedicated the Multipurpose Sports Indoor Hall at Arhama constructed at a cost of Rs 4.94 crore to the Youth.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor hailed sports tournaments like South Kashmir Volleyball League as a powerful declaration of the youth’s transition from spectators to the architects of their own destiny.
He emphasized that the league started in 2021, has emerged as a major platform for youth engagement, promotion of competitive sports culture and strengthening of volleyball activities across South Kashmir.
“South Kashmir Volleyball League is significantly contributing towards the campaign of ‘Nasha Mukt J&K’ by promoting sports as a positive avenue for youth participation and social transformation,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor stated that, under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we have laid a strong foundation for the youth to realise their dreams and showcase their immense talent at national and international sports arena.
“By engaging large number of youth across the Union Territory in volleyball and various sporting activities and national integration programmes, the administration is successfully channeling the energy of the youth toward nation-building.
Every serve and every spike on this volleyball court is a message that our youth are confronting challenges and moving forward as an integral part of the national mainstream,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor highlighted that Shopian is at the heart of South Kashmir’s sports revolution.
“Approximately Rs 22 crore spent on sports infrastructure in Shopian over the last six years. Ongoing works worth Rs 8.80 crore are currently underway in the district. 20 Khelo India centers are operational across South Kashmir, with five in Shopian alone, providing training and equipment to 600 regular trainees,” he said.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor also appealed to the young sportspersons to act as role models and mentors and guide new generation towards a drug-free, brighter and healthier future.
He also reiterated the administration’s resolve to eliminate the narco-terror ecosystem from Jammu Kashmir.
The four day South Kashmir Volleyball League is being organized by Volleyball Association J&K and Jammu Kashmir Sports Council.
Satish Sharma, Minister for Youth Services & Sports; Shabir Ahmad Kullay, Member Legislative Assembly from Shopian; Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Commissioner Secretary to Government, Youth Services and Sports; Javid Iqbal Matoo, DIG South Kashmir; Shri Shishir Gupta Deputy Commissioner Shopian; Mushtaq Ahmad Choudhary, SSP Shopian; Nuzhat Gul, Secretary J&K Sports Council, senior officers of Police and civil administration, members of Volleyball Association, prominent citizens, sports personalities and youth in large number attended the inaugural function. (JKNS)