Calls for regular utilisation of sports infrastructure, grassroots competitions and greater opportunities for young athletes
Pulwama : District Development Commissioner (DDC) Pulwama, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, Tuesday chaired a review meeting to assess the progress of Youth Services & Sports activities, sports infrastructure and ongoing initiatives across the district.
At the outset, a detailed presentation was presented before the chair covering sports infrastructure, participation, activities and ongoing works.
The DDC directed that existing basketball, volleyball, hockey and other sports courts be put to regular use and properly maintained. The list of playfields was asked to be shared with the concerned ZEOs and Panchayat-level authorities so that maintenance responsibility is clearly established.
The DDC emphasised that a comprehensive sports calendar be prepared to ensure regular sporting activities at the Panchayat level. He called for a structured competition pathway from Panchayat to Block, sub-district and finally district level, allowing talent to be identified from the grassroots.
While emphasising inclusivity and equal opportunities in sports, the DDC stressed the need to ensure suitable facilities and adequate opportunities for children with special abilities and sportspersons to participate across various sporting disciplines.
Furthermore, the DDC directed the concerned officers to identify promising athletes in skiing, skating and other winter sports and facilitate their training and participation in winter games. Where suitable facilities are unavailable locally, training support at centres such as Srinagar, along with necessary logistical assistance, may be provided, he added.
The DDC further directed that procurement of sports equipment should be based on proper assessment of requirements and undertaken in accordance with GFR provisions.
The chair was apprised that between April 01 and September 30, 2026, a total of 2,61,735 participants took part in various sports and youth activities, comprising 1,56,887 boys and 1,04,848 girls, including 70,444 participants in different levels of competitions and 1,91,291 participants in other activities.
The DDC called for sustained efforts to strengthen sports infrastructure, ensure its regular utilisation and create a structured platform for identifying and nurturing sporting talent from the Panchayat level onwards.
The meeting was attended by ADDC Pulwama, Gulzar Ahmad Bhat; CPO Pulwama, AashiqKhanday; DYSSO Pulwama, besides other concerned officers and officials.
