Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the South Kashmir Volleyball League-2026 in Shopian on Thursday. He also dedicated the multi-purpose sports indoor hall constructed at a cost of Rs 4.94 crore in Arhama to the youth.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor termed sports tournaments like the South Kashmir Volleyball League as a strong expression of the youth’s transition from being spectators to becoming the architects of their own destiny.
He stressed that the league, which started in 2021, has emerged as a major platform for youth engagement, promotion of competitive sports and strengthening volleyball activities across South Kashmir.
The Lieutenant Governor said, “The South Kashmir Volleyball League is playing a prominent role in the campaign of ‘Nashmukt Jammu and Kashmir’ by making sports a positive tool for youth participation and social transformation.”
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a strong foundation has been provided to the youth to fulfill their dreams and showcase their immense potential in the field of national and international sports.
The Lieutenant Governor said, “By connecting a large number of youth in the Union Territory with volleyball and other sports activities and national integration programmes, the administration is successfully channelizing their energy towards nation building. Every serve and every spike on this volleyball court is sending a message that our youth are facing challenges and moving forward as a strong part of the national mainstream.”
The Lieutenant Governor emphasized that Shopian has become the epicenter of the sports revolution in South Kashmir.
He said, “In the last six years, about Rs 22 crore has been spent on sports infrastructure in Shopian, while work on projects worth Rs 8.80 crore is currently underway in the district. There are 20 Khelo India centres functioning in South Kashmir, out of which five are set up in Shopian alone, where 600 regular trainees are being provided coaching and sports equipment.”
On this occasion, the Lieutenant Governor appealed to the young players to become role models and leaders and guide the new generation towards a drug-free, bright and healthy future. He also reiterated the resolve to completely eradicate the drug and narco-terrorism network from Jammu and Kashmir.
The four-day South Kashmir Volleyball League is being organized by the Volleyball Association Jammu and Kashmir and Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Satish Sharma, Member of Legislative Assembly Shopian Shabbir Ahmed Kulley, Commissioner Secretary Youth Services and Sports Dr. Shahid Iqbal Chaudhry, DIG South Kashmir Javed Iqbal Muttu, District Development Commissioner Shopian Shashir Gupta, SSP Shopian Mushtaq Ahmed Chaudhry, Secretary J&K Sports Council Nuzhat Gul, senior officers of police and civil administration, members of Volleyball Association, leading citizens, sports personalities and a large number of youth.
