Jammu, April 22: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Transport, Youth Services & Sports and Science & Technology, Satish Sharma, underscored the importance of youth engagement through sports while addressing the grand finale of the 2nd Sher-e-Kashmir T20 Cricket Tournament at MA Stadium Jammu.

Highlighting the transformative role of sports, the Minister stated that such tournaments provide a constructive platform for the youth to showcase their talent, develop discipline and stay away from social evils like drug abuse. He emphasized that sports not only build physical fitness but also nurture leadership qualities and a spirit of teamwork among young individuals.
The Minister lauded the efforts of the Youth National Conference for organizing the tournament under the “Say No to Drugs” initiative, terming it a significant step towards channelizing youth energy in a positive direction. He reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthen the sports infrastructure and ensure wider participation of youth across Jammu and Kashmir.
The tournament witnessed enthusiastic participation from several teams, including KT Lions, Royal Legends Club, Warriors XI, Rising Stars, Friends Club and Young Strikers, reflecting the growing interest of youth in cricket and competitive sports across the region.
Congratulating the players, Satish Sharma appreciated their sportsmanship and competitive spirit, noting that such events foster unity, camaraderie and a sense of purpose among the youth. He encouraged the young players to remain dedicated and pursue sports as a means to achieve excellence and contribute positively to society.
The Minister also complimented the organizers for successful conduct of the tournament and expressed hope that more such initiatives would be organized in future to engage the youth meaningfully.
The event was attended by Rattan Lal Gupta, Tejinder Paul Singh Aman along with former minister Bahu Ram Pal, senior leaders and a large number of youth participants.