Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, April 25 

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday urged sports ministers and administrators to appoint more physical education teachers in schools and strengthen grassroots sports infrastructure.

Speaking at a national ‘Chintan Shivir’ on sports in Srinagar, LG Sinha said nurturing talent must begin at the local level, stressing that many athletes emerge from small towns and communities before being refined in professional academies.

“Physical education teachers are often undervalued compared to other subjects. This mindset must change,” he said, calling for greater recognition and resources to support them in identifying and training young talent.

The LG emphasised that sports should become part of everyday life beyond formal institutions, encouraging participation in neighbourhoods, schools and local clubs.

He said infrastructure alone was insufficient without coordinated efforts from schools, communities, families and local administrations to build a supportive ecosystem for aspiring athletes.

LG Sinha also called for sharing best practices across states and improving systems to identify and promote rural talent through accessible and transparent mechanisms.

He urged the corporate sector to play a larger role in developing a sustainable sports ecosystem, saying government efforts alone would not be enough.

The three-day event, organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is focusing on policy coordination and strategies to strengthen India’s sports framework and global competitiveness.