Srinagar, November 05:Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Mir Saifullah, today chaired a review meeting to assess the functioning, ongoing activities and infrastructure development programmes of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council (JKSC).
The meeting was attended by the Special Secretary to the Government, Youth Services and Sports Department, Tazayun Mukhtar Kawos (JKAS), Secretary, J&K Sports Council, and other senior officers.
During the meeting, the Minister took stock of the physical and financial progress of sports infrastructure projects, implementation of budget announcements, Khelo India initiatives, development of coaching facilities and assistance being extended to recognised sports associations across Jammu and Kashmir.
A detailed presentation highlighted that 264 works have been included under the Council’s Capex programme for 2026–27, with an approved outlay of ₹128.87 crore, against which ₹96.07 crore has been released. Of the annual target of 120 works, 85 works have been completed so far, comprising 82 ongoing works and three new works.
The Minister was informed that synthetic turf fields at Azad Ganj in Baramulla, Draggad in Shopian, Gassu Hazratbal in Srinagar and Mendhar in Poonch have been physically completed. The synthetic turf facility at Bandhu Rakh in Jammu has achieved approximately 65 per cent physical progress and is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
The meeting also reviewed the establishment of four cricket academies at Srinagar, Jammu, Anantnag and Udhampur, aimed at strengthening cricket infrastructure and providing better training opportunities to emerging talent. Civil works for these academies have been allotted, with completion targeted for January 2027.
At Gindun Sports Complex, Rajbagh, construction of the gymnastics hall has been completed, along with procurement of gymnastics and archery equipment. The Minister was also briefed on the proposed shooting facility, where preparatory work is progressing. The tendering process will follow the scheduled visit of experts from the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
The review further covered the development of high-performance Taekwondo training centres across Jammu and Kashmir, for which procurement of training equipment has been completed.
Other infrastructure improvements, including the provision of dugouts, water coolers and essential support facilities, were also discussed as part of the Council’s efforts to improve sporting environments and athlete welfare.
The meeting also took stock of projects completed under the Khelo India scheme, including synthetic hockey turfs at Polo Ground, Srinagar, and K.K. Hakku Stadium, Jammu; the synthetic athletics track at Tulibal, Sopore; and the indoor sports hall at Shalnar, Budgam.
Several newly developed and upgraded sports facilities were also identified as ready for inauguration. These include football turfs, an artificial rock-climbing wall at M.A. Stadium, Jammu, a prefabricated indoor hall at S.K. Stadium, Bandipora, and upgraded playfields and sports courts across the Union Territory.
The Minister also reviewed the Council’s support to recognised sports associations through its grants-in-aid framework, which facilitates the organisation of district and UT-level championships, pre-participation coaching camps and participation of athletes in national-level competitions.
Assistance extended towards hosting major sporting events was also discussed, with emphasis on creating greater competitive opportunities for athletes and strengthening the sporting ecosystem across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting provided a comprehensive assessment of the Council’s ongoing initiatives to expand sports infrastructure, strengthen coaching facilities and improve access to organised sporting opportunities across the Union Territory.
