Work for betterment of athletes, conduct elections timely: Secy J&K YSS to Assns

Jammu: Emphasising on the importance of following guidelines of the Sports Council for regulating transparency in holding the offices and conducting elections in time besides proper documentation of activities, registration of athletes and accounting of funds being provided by the Sports Council, Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Youth Services and Sports Department, Sarmad Hafeez on Wednesday asked the various sports associations to work for the betterment of the athletes and address their legitimate demands.
Chairing a review meeting of the recognised and affiliated sports bodies of Jammu and Kashmir here at Panchayat Bhawan, Hafeez while reviewing the calendar of activities for the year 2023-24, informed the participants that lot of sports infrastructure has been created in the J&K which has reciprocated in the performance of the athletes at national and international level besides hosting of mega events.
He was flanked by Secretary Sports Council, Nuzhat Gul and Director General, Youth Services and Sports, Subhash Chibber.
Hafeez also apprised that J&K administration has been kind enough to augment the increased capex budget along with several other reformative measures to create more facilities in various sports disciplines.
The Secretary stressed upon the representatives of sports associations to diversify their activities across J&K and refrain from limiting their scope to capital cities only.
He sought cooperation from the sports associations to achieve the target of reaching out to 70 lakh youth this year and focus on involving athletes from all age groups including participants in the new vertical of the ‘golden age ‘and ‘specially abled athletes’.
Stressing on creating the congenial atmosphere for women athletes enabling maximum female athletes to participate in various sports activities and training camps, Hafeez said that CCTV cameras and helpline numbers shall be kept available to keep a check on the ambience around the sports facilities.
He also informed that there is a complete synergy between the J&K Sports Council and Directorate of Youth Services and Sports and that all the recognised sports associations will have to come forward to support for the cause of betterment of the sports.
Directing the sports associations, he asked them to provide valuable suggestions to the Directorate and J&K Sports Council in the creation of infrastructure so that best sports facilities are made available to the athletes.
He also sought active support from the representatives of the associations to eradicate drug menace which has touched dangerous prepositions and stressed on the need to motivate the youth to embrace sports for channelizing their energies in the right direction.
Appreciating the role played by the J&K Sports Council in hosting the three editions of Khelo India Winter Games successfully, he said the endeavour also helped in the promotion of tourism.
Secretary YSS also informed the representatives that a proper plan of sports activities be devised providing a competitive environment to every athlete irrespective of the age groups.
He directed the officers of the J&K Sports Council and Directorate of Youth Services and Sports to display a wall of honours of reputed athletes and sports icons in and around the sports facilities at every district so that shall inspire youngsters.
He also informed the house that jobs to the outstanding sports persons under SO-12 are under active consideration in the General Administration Department.
Representatives of the sports associations put forth their ideas and demands for augmentation in sports facilities, equipment, placement of coaches and trainers, setting up of sports medicine cells and financial support for advance training and participation in zonal competitions to which Secretary YSS responded in affirmative.
Sarmad Hafeez directed the associations to submit proposals to the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports and J&K Sports Council for capacity building of staff and conduct of training camps for school children.
The representative of Special Olympic Bharat, J&K chapter requested Secretary YSS for approval in the establishment of Khel Bal Sabha at Panchayat Level and Khel Yuva Sabha at Village level.
Representatives of Sports Associations in one voice appreciated the good work done by the J&K Sports Council in the development of sports infrastructure, equipment support and conduct of sports activities.
Secretary to the Government, YSS also desired to conduct National level competitions for senior age groups, golden age and special abled athletes for building proper sports ecosystem in J&K.
Secretary, J&K Sports Council Nuzhat Gul also asked registered associations to provide proper details of revenue raised from different sponsors during hosting of national or other similar events so that proper transparency is ensured in the utilization of funds.
Representatives of the associations thanked the Secretary YSS and Secretary, J&K Sports Council for providing unprecedented sports facilities and financial support to the athletes of the J&K which led to substantial increase in the performance of the athletes at both national and international level.
Later in the day, Secretary YSS Sarmad Hafeez inaugurated the Gymnasium Centre at New Indoor Sports Complex, MA Stadium, Jammu, and new Billiard tables placed in the Billiards Hall.
He stressed upon proper utilization of sports facilities to excel in national and international Competitions.
Among other present in the meeting also included Subash Chander Chhibber, Director Youth Services and Sports, Nuzhat Gul, Secretary J&K Sports Council, Rakesh Mangotra, Special Secretary YSS, Naresh Khajuria, Special Secretary YSS, Ashu Gupta, Joint Director Planning YSS, Dr. Zaffar Iqbal Chief Accounts Officer J&K Sports Council, Ashok Singh Divisional Sports Officer Sports Council Jammu, Sheikh Riyaz Ahmad Administrative Officer Sports Council and Mir Jehangir Public Relations Officer, J&K Sports Council along with other officials from YSS and Sports Council.
UNI