Consider lifting ban on sports activities

The steep surge in Covid cases across Jammu and Kashmir had once again forced the government to impose the restrictions in the Union Territory in order to prevent the virus from spreading further. Fortunately, the government has achieved the motive behind the lockdown as the number of daily cases in Srinagar and elsewhere have declined to a large extent, thus giving a relief among the people across J&K. However, the situation that arises since the last two years due to the ongoing pandemic has affected the mental health of the children badly. These children don’t go to the schools or coaching centers in wake of the closure of the educational institutions while the sports activities too have been restricted by the government to ensure the virus is prevented from spreading. Nonetheless, the children while staying in the four walls of their house have become irritating and intolerant, which is a cause of concern. Therefore, to ensure the stable mental health of the children, there is a need to ease the restrictions on the sports activities in Jammu and Kashmir so that the children can play in fields and refresh their mind after going through the worst situation due to the pandemic. Though the pandemic is still there, the government should consider resumption of non-contact sports in Jammu and Kashmir so that the affected children could heave a sigh of relief.