Srinagar: Strengthening the sports ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Monday launched first of its kind Golf Training Academy at the Kashmir Golf Club, Srinagar.
The Lt Governor said that it is a matter of great pride that Kashmir Golf Club, one of the oldest golf clubs with rich history, is the second only in the country after the Royal Golf Club, Kolkata. With best-in-class Golf courses, J&K aspires to be the Golfing capital of the country. A similar Golf Academy with national-level training facilities will be launched in Jammu soon, he added.
Addressing the young sportspersons of the first batch of Golf Academy, the Lt Governor said that countless inspiring stories have originated from the Kashmir Golf Club and they will definitely experience them along with the nuances of the discipline during the coming 15 days of training. He informed that eminent coaches of the country will come to impart training and the first batch itself is starting with the world-renowned player and coach of the Indian team Sh. Amandeep Johl.
“We have made golf accessible to the common man of the society. It is no longer the game of elite only. Dream of Inclusive society being realized”, added the Lt Governor.
Recalling the directions passed during the review meeting of Sports Department, the Lt Governor said that it was decided that this year more than 17 lakh children will be provided with opportunities to play in different sports disciplines.
The Lt Governor said that for the all-round development of youth, the government has given Rs 513 crore in the budget this year, which is Rs 17 crore more than last year.
He informed that Suresh Raina’s academy for cricket coaching is honing the talents of youth in J&K and more than 2000 players took part in the cricket tournament organized in two districts following the Corona protocol. Whereas, to promote football, programs are being run in 10 districts of J&K and 750 talented youth are being given top-class training. In football alone, 11 tournaments are being organized in J&K this year and around 1.5 lakh players are expected to participate in 3405 matches.
