J&K building talent pipeline to create future champions: Lt Governor

Srinagar, Jun 11: Jammu and Kashmir is laying the groundwork for a strong hockey ecosystem aimed at producing future national-level players, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Thursday, highlighting investments in infrastructure, grassroots competitions, and talent identification programmes across Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the ALFA Hockey Inter-School Tournament 2026 at the Synthetic Hockey Astro Turf in Srinagar’s Polo Ground, LG Sinha said the administration was focused on creating a structured pathway that would allow young players to progress from school competitions to regional and national platforms.
“We are building a talent pipeline in J&K that will ensure a player’s journey from the school level to the regional level and national stage,” he said.
The tournament, which brought together students from 32 schools across districts including Kupwara and Bandipora in north Kashmir and Kulgam and Shopian in south Kashmir, was organised with support from the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, Badal Hockey Club, and Hockey Jammu and Kashmir.
Sinha said the event was designed not merely as a competition but as a platform to identify and nurture promising talent, particularly among young players from modest backgrounds who often lack access to opportunities and professional support.
“Many outstanding players come from ordinary backgrounds, but without opportunities and proper support, talent cannot progress. This tournament is helping identify such talent and enabling young sportspersons to move ahead,” he said.
The LG said that over the past few years, hockey has witnessed renewed attention in Jammu and Kashmir as authorities expanded sports infrastructure and increased grassroots participation.
Synthetic hockey turfs have been established at Polo Ground in Srinagar, Pulwama, and Poonch, widening access to modern training facilities for players from urban centres, border districts, and remote areas, while additional turf projects are under construction at Bandhu Rakh and K K Hakku Stadium in Jammu.
Sinha said that the new facilities would strengthen advanced coaching programmes, talent scouting initiatives and training camps, creating a sustainable framework for developing future hockey players.
“We aim to see more schools and more young players take up hockey in the coming years and establish Jammu and Kashmir as a cradle for world-class hockey talent,” he said.
The LG said the performances witnessed during the tournament reflected the growing sporting potential among the region’s youth and underscored the importance of discipline, perseverance and continuous improvement.
Addressing participants, he urged players to remain committed to learning from coaches and to draw inspiration from successful athletes.
“Your coaches understand your strengths and shortcomings. There is always scope for improvement. Stay committed to learning and keep working on your game,” he said.
Sinha linked youth development through sports with broader nation-building objectives, saying the government remained committed to providing opportunities and resources that would help young people contribute to the country’s progress.
He cited achievements by J&K’s youth in various fields, including sports and social campaigns, as evidence of their determination and potential.
Expressing optimism about the future of hockey in J&K, Sinha said the current efforts would help create a new generation of players capable of competing at higher levels.
“Hockey can become a major avenue for our youth. I am confident that more players will emerge from Jammu and Kashmir, and this tournament will mark the beginning of a new journey for the sport in J&K,” he said.
Vice Chancellor Cluster University Srinagar, Prof Mohammad Mobin; Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary; DIG Central Kashmir Range, Rajiv Omprakashn; SSP Srinagar, Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy; Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Akshay Labroo; Secretary J&K Sports Council, Nuzhat Gul; President of Badal Hockey Club S Harmeet Singh Sasan and other members; senior officials, eminent sports personalities, coaches, students, and teachers from various schools were also present on the occasion. (KNO)