Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, April 25 

India’s Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday that sports can serve as a powerful tool for social cohesion and national integration, particularly in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking at a ‘Chintan Shivir’ of state and union territory sports ministers held in Srinagar, Union Sports Minister Mandaviya said India’s ambitions of becoming a global sporting powerhouse would depend on effective implementation at the grassroots level.

“Our roadmap must translate into action in every playground and district,” he said, calling on states to prioritise execution over policy formulation.

He highlighted the need for closer coordination between state governments, sports federations and the education system to strengthen talent identification and athlete development.

Mandaviya also stressed the importance of training and certifying coaches, building sports infrastructure and adopting scientific methods in athlete preparation.

“If even one talented child is left behind due to lack of opportunity, it is a loss for the nation,” he said.

The minister also launched the YES-PE (Young Engagement in Sports and Physical Education) programme, aimed at promoting sports participation among students.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha attended the event and supported efforts to position India as a major global sporting nation.

The meeting brought together more than 15 state sports ministers and leading athletes, including Abhinav Bindra, Pullela Gopichand and Gagan Narang, to discuss reforms in sports governance, infrastructure and talent development.

Participants emphasised the need for coordinated policies, improved coaching systems and stronger pathways from grassroots participation to elite performance, as India seeks to expand its presence in international sport.