LG Manoj Sinha Attends Closing Ceremony of ALFA Hockey Inter-School Tournament 2026 in Srinagar
Srinagar, June 11 (PTK): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday attended the closing ceremony of the ALFA Hockey Inter-School Tournament 2026 at the Synthetic Hockey Astro Turf, Polo Ground Srinagar, reaffirming the administration’s commitment towards promoting sports and nurturing young talent across Jammu and Kashmir.
The tournament witnessed participation from 32 schools representing various districts, including Kupwara, Bandipora, Kulgam and Shopian, providing a platform for budding hockey players to showcase their talent and sporting skills.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor congratulated the winners and participants for their outstanding performances and appreciated the spirit of sportsmanship displayed throughout the tournament.
He lauded the collaborative efforts of the J&K Sports Council, Badal Hockey Club and Hockey Jammu & Kashmir for successfully organizing the event and creating opportunities for young athletes across the Union Territory.
“This tournament aimed for something beyond the scoreboard. It provided a transformative platform for our talented children to discover and realize their true athletic potential,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Highlighting the growing popularity of hockey in Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha said the region has witnessed a remarkable transformation in the sport over the past few years due to sustained investments in sports infrastructure, grassroots competitions and community engagement initiatives.
“It is our aim to see more schools and more young players take up hockey in the coming years and establish Jammu and Kashmir as a cradle of world-class hockey talent,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor stated that the administration is actively building a strong talent pipeline that will ensure the progression of players from the school level to regional, national and international stages.
He noted that the establishment of synthetic hockey turfs at Polo Ground Srinagar, Pulwama and Poonch has opened new opportunities for aspiring players from urban centres, border districts and remote areas.
He further informed that state-of-the-art synthetic hockey turfs are currently under construction at Bandhu Rakh and K.K. Hakku Stadium in Jammu, which will significantly strengthen advanced training facilities, coaching programmes and talent identification initiatives.
“These projects will lay a strong foundation for producing future national and international hockey players from Jammu and Kashmir,” the Lieutenant Governor added.
Reiterating the government’s commitment towards youth empowerment, Manoj Sinha said the administration is continuously working to provide opportunities, resources and platforms for talented youth to excel and contribute towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
“From sporting achievements such as the Ranji Trophy Championship to social initiatives like the Nasha Mukt J&K campaign, our youth have repeatedly demonstrated their dedication and potential. I want their contribution to nation-building to be second to none,” he said.
Among those present on the occasion were Prof. Mohammad Mobin, Vice Chancellor Cluster University Srinagar; Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Commissioner Secretary Youth Services and Sports; DIG Central Kashmir Rajiv Omprakash Pande; SSP Srinagar Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy; Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo; Secretary J&K Sports Council Nuzhat Gul; President of Badal Hockey Club Harmeet Singh Sasan, besides sports personalities, coaches, teachers, students and senior officials.(PTK)
