Srinagar:SRINAGAR, APRIL 09:Reaching out to athletes of J&K, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairsand Sports, Kiren Rijiju today interacted with various athletes, players andcoaches of different sports and felicitated them on their recent achievementsin national and international events.
Whilefelicitating the achievers, Kiren Rijiju appreciated the athletes for bringinglaurels to both J&K and the Country.
KirenRijiju highlighted role of sports in character building which corresponds withthe nation building. He added that sports helps athletes achieve unique featsand help them explore the world besides leads them to live a disciplined life.
On theoccasion, the MoS promised to set up more training centres in J&K in nearfuture to tap and train the talent of region.
KirenRijiju who is on two days visit to J&K shall inaugurate Khelo India Centreof Excellence, Water Sports Academy at Srinagar tomorrow.
Advisorto Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan while addressing on the occasion said thatthe athletes are icons and praised them for inspiring the generations tofollow. He said that the footprints of all the achievers gathered here shallact as beacon lights for future champions.
AdvisorKhan also requested the MoS to provided requisite facilities for athletes ofJ&K so that they can make their mark in the Olympic and World Championshipevents.
AdvisorKhan also informed that inputs for J&K’s Sports Policy which is beingframed shall also be sought from the sportspersons who are the realstakeholders.
PrincipalSecretary Youth Services and Sports, Alok Kumar while addressing the gatheringassured that Sports Policy is in pipeline and shall be announced very soon. Healso apprised that outstanding sportspersons shall benefit immensely from thepolicy.
On theoccasion several athletes highlighted their struggles and talked about theirsuccess in the field of sports.
InshaBashir Para-Olympic gave an emotional gist of her journey into the sports andthe support she has received all through from various stakeholders includingJ&K Sports Council and a special care taken by Kiran Rijiju after her onfield mishap, surgery and recovery a year ago.
CyclistAdil Teli who is in reckoning for Guinness Book of Record for his feat ofcycling from Kashmir to Kanyakumari this year, beating the previous record wasespecially invited to share his sojourn between two extremes of the country.
Judoplayer Kabra Altaf, speaking on the occasion was all praises for the supportmeted out to the athletes by J&K Sports Council. She also demanded settingup of Sports Hostels for accommodation of players during the sports events andTraining camps.
AnotherAthlete, Jabeena Akhtar, who has bagged 25 medals at different levels in Wushurequested for full-fledged Sports Policy for J&K.