LG Manoj Sinha Inaugurates South Kashmir Volleyball League-2026 in Shopian
Srinagar, May 14 (PTK): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday inaugurated the South Kashmir Volleyball League-2026 at Shopian and dedicated the newly constructed Multipurpose Sports Indoor Hall at Arhama to the youth.
The Indoor Sports Hall has been constructed at a cost of Rs 4.94 crore to strengthen sports infrastructure and encourage youth participation in sporting activities.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor described sports tournaments like the South Kashmir Volleyball League as a powerful platform for youth engagement and social transformation. He said the league, which started in 2021, has emerged as a major initiative for promoting competitive sports culture and strengthening volleyball activities across South Kashmir.
“South Kashmir Volleyball League is significantly contributing towards the campaign of Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir by promoting sports as a positive avenue for youth participation and social transformation,” Manoj Sinha said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the administration has laid a strong foundation for youth to realise their sporting aspirations and showcase talent at national and international levels.
He said engaging youth in sports and national integration programmes is helping channel their energy towards nation-building and constructive activities.
“Every serve and every spike on this volleyball court is a message that our youth are confronting challenges and moving forward as an integral part of the national mainstream,” he added.
Highlighting sports development in Shopian, the Lieutenant Governor said around Rs 22 crore has been spent on sports infrastructure in the district over the last six years, while projects worth Rs 8.80 crore are currently under execution.
He further informed that 20 Khelo India Centres are operational across South Kashmir, including five in Shopian, where around 600 trainees are receiving regular coaching and sports equipment support.
The Lieutenant Governor also urged young sportspersons to act as role models and mentors for society and guide the younger generation towards a healthy and drug-free future.
The four-day South Kashmir Volleyball League is being organised by the Volleyball Association of Jammu and Kashmir in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council.
The inaugural function was attended by Minister for Youth Services and Sports Satish Sharma, MLA Shopian Shabir Ahmad Kullay, Commissioner Secretary Youth Services and Sports Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, senior officers of police and civil administration, sports personalities and youth in large numbers.(PTK)
