Jammu, June 9: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, IT, Youth Services & Sports, and Science & Technology, Satish Sharma, on Monday chaired a review meeting to assess the proposed Sports Calendar 2026–27 and the roadmap for sports development across Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting, attended by Commissioner Secretary Youth Services & Sports Shahid Choudhary and Secretary J&K Sports Council Nuzhat Gul along with senior officers, focused on expanding competitive and grassroots sports opportunities across the Union Territory.
Reviewing the calendar, the Minister said sports have emerged as a key tool for youth empowerment, social transformation and economic opportunity. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring world-class facilities and equal exposure for athletes from all regions, including remote areas.
He noted that the proposed calendar includes international and national championships, district-level competitions, leagues and community sports programmes aimed at strengthening the sporting ecosystem across J&K.
Among key highlights, the Minister welcomed plans to host the South Asian Wushu Championship and the Asian Aerobic Gymnastics Championship in Srinagar, saying such events will boost J&K’s profile on the global sports map.
He also reviewed district and thematic leagues including cricket, football, hockey, athletics, chess, carrom, cycling, tribal sports leagues, women’s leagues and initiatives under the “My Youth, My Pride” programme. He stressed inclusive participation of women, tribal communities and specially-abled athletes.
The Minister underlined sports as a tool for social change and appreciated the integration of initiatives under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, aimed at steering youth away from drug abuse through sports engagement.
He directed officials to ensure timely execution, transparent selection processes, strong infrastructure support and wider outreach to maximize participation.
Emphasizing the role of technology, he called for digital platforms for athlete registration, event management, talent tracking and performance monitoring to improve transparency and efficiency in sports governance.
Officials informed that more than 426 sporting events across 50 disciplines are proposed for the coming year, with expected participation of over 21 lakh youth across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Commissioner Secretary briefed the Minister on ongoing preparations and grassroots initiatives, including talent identification drives, community programmes and infrastructure upgrades aimed at strengthening sports development across all districts.
The Secretary Sports Council also presented a detailed roadmap outlining national, international, UT-level and district-level competitions planned for the year ahead, aimed at expanding sporting opportunities and nurturing emerging talent across the region.