Leh, August 08: The Secretary to Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor/Secretary of Youth Services & Sports of UT Ladakh, Ravinder Kumar reviewed a meeting regarding the proposal for engaging, sponsorship, promoting, and setting up J&K Bank Football Academy for the development of Sports in the UT.  

The meeting was held between CMD J&K Bank and Secretary Sports UT Ladakh. A football expert team of J&K Bank is on a tour of the Union Territory of Ladakh from the 6^th to the 9^th of August 2023. The team has visited infrastructure and interacted with all the stakeholders to discuss the proposal of setting up a full fledge J&K Bank Football Academy in the Union territory of Ladakh for professional development of football in the region. The team shall also be visiting the football infrastructure of the Kargil district.

During the meeting, Ravinder Kumar stressed that the need of the hour is to develop a long-term strategy for the bright future of sports in Ladakh. He also highlighted the need to identify trained coaches from within Ladakh and identify people keen to be trained as coaches. He assured that sports infrastructure and equipment would be provided in schools at all levels to promote and encourage sports in Ladakh.

* Click to Follow Voice of Ladakh on WhatsApp *

The Secretary expressed that developing a systematic sports curriculum for schools is vital for the promotion of sports at the grassroots. He urged all the concerned officers to develop football schools at the High and Secondary School levels to be developed as a way of life for a fit Ladakh. The Youth Services & Sports Department is inculcating a sporting culture in Ladakh which in turn is keeping the people healthy and fit, he stated. He further reiterated the need to provide regular refresher courses to the existing Physical Education teachers, coaches, and physiotherapists for upgrading their knowledge, skills, and practical training.

The Secretary emphasized the importance of Sports and highlighted the efforts of the Government to establish the predominance of India in world sports events. UT Administration will constitute awards and incentives like jobs for local sports persons to encourage them to excel in the sporting field, he added.

He further stated that various initiatives were undertaken for the promotion of sports in Ladakh, including the development of sports infrastructure, distribution of sports equipment, and facilitating sports events, as stated by the Secretary of Youth Services and Sports Ravinder Kumar.

The meeting was attended by the Joint Director of Sports, Ladakh; OSD to Secretary; DYSSO, Leh and officers; members from J&K Bank Academy; General Secretary of Ladakh Football Association and members.