Srinagar: The authorities have decided to encourage the sports activities in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure youth are not diverted towards other activities.

An official said that authorities have decided to show keen interest in the promotion of sports in JK.

“We have talent available but they need platform to show that talent. It is only possible when we have the required infrastructure and coaches available,” the official said.

The official said that government has already sanctioned grants for block level supports in the state.

“An amount of Rs 10 lake each to be spent in all 143 blocks of the Jammu and Kashmir’s 22 districts,” the official said.

Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Javed Khan said that government was promoting sports in the state.

“We are also focusing to make people aware about sports activities. Each block is being provided Rs 10 lakh for sports activities,” Khan said.

The government has also decided to promote sports activities to divert attention of Kashmir youth towards sports activities so that they don’t join the militant ranks.

Recently, K- Vijay Kumar Advisor to Governor chaired a high-level meeting of top brass here in the civil secretariat and directed them to engage the local boys in various sports activities to keep them away from joining various militant outfits.

Sources said that the meeting was attended by Director General of Police, IG CRPF, IG Police Kashmir Zone and other top officials of the government.

“The Advisor sought feedback from the heads on certain important issues”.

“Advisor suggested a slew of steps to keep the youth from joining militant outfits”.

Kumar also assured the meeting that the Government will provide full support to them in engaging youth in various supports activities so that they are kept away from militancy,” sources quoted Advisor said.

When the Advisor was told by some officials that the tendency among the youth in Kashmir to join militant outfits was only growing day-by-day, he told the meeting that efforts to plug the trend must be intensified so that not only militancy is curbed but youth are also exposed to outer world.

“We will engage youth in sports activities, social activities and provide them every chance to participate in state and all-India level competitions to prevent them from joining militant ranks or indulge in other unlawful activities,” the Advisor has said.

One of the participants said that they shared ideas and talked about ways in which they are engaging youth.

“Valley youth have performed very well in sports. Besides government, Jammu Kashmir Police (JKP) and paramilitary forces like CRPF, too, have been encouraging the young Kashmiris to take up sports like football and cricket,” he maintained.