Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services & Sports department, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, today chaired a review of the department’s sports infrastructure, ongoing capital works, Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) projects and programmes for strengthening sports and youth engagement across Jammu and Kashmir.

The review took stock of the work undertaken by the department over the past several months. It set out a district-level roadmap for expansion, upgradation and better utilisation of sports facilities, with particular emphasis on equitable access, athlete development and time-bound completion of projects.

The meeting was attended by Director General Youth Services & Sports J&K Anuradha Gupta, senior officers of the department, Planning, Financial Advisor and Sports Council representatives, Chief Planning Officers, District Statistical and Evaluation Officers and District Youth Services & Sports Officers from across the Union Territory.

A detailed presentation was made on the portfolio of sports infrastructure projects taken up under Capex, SASCI and CSS, along with the status of ongoing works, funding, execution and future requirements. The department has taken up 210 new sports projects under Capex and 17 projects under SASCI, with a cumulative investment of over ₹500 crore. Against these projects, around ₹160 crore have already been released to the concerned Heads of Departments and executing agencies.

Dr Shahid Iqbal directed the concerned agencies to expedite tendering and execution while maintaining quality standards and ensuring that projects are completed within the approved timelines. He stressed that the focus should not only be on creation of new assets but also on making existing infrastructure functional, accessible and suitable for regular sporting activity.

The Commissioner Secretary directed the Chief Planning Officers, District Statistical and Evaluation Officers and District Youth Services & Sports Officers to undertake a comprehensive district-wise assessment of sports infrastructure, including playfields, stadiums, indoor facilities and other sporting assets.

The assessment will identify infrastructure gaps, underserved areas and facilities requiring augmentation. Existing assets will be mapped and geotagged and district plans will form the basis for prioritising new infrastructure as well as upgradation of existing facilities.

Dr Shahid Iqbal called for greater involvement of local youth and sporting communities at the planning stage so that facilities are designed around actual local requirements and receive sustained community utilisation. He asked for according particular attention to border and remote areas, hilly and difficult terrain, tribal areas and other underserved regions besides ensuring adequate sporting opportunities in schools, colleges and other educational institutions. The approach will seek to create a more balanced sports ecosystem in which access to facilities is not determined by geographical location, he added.

The Commissioner Secretary emphasised that infrastructure planning must be linked with a clear pathway for identification, nurturing and development of sporting talent. Facilities are to be assessed not merely as physical assets but for their ability to support regular coaching, competitions, access to equipment, fitness and conditioning, talent identification and progression of promising athletes. The department will accordingly work towards strengthening the sporting ecosystem from the grassroots, with appropriate linkages between schools, colleges, district-level facilities, coaching programmes and higher-level training opportunities, he added.

He also directed that the existing playfields and indoor facilities be assessed for essential equipment, amenities and support systems so that the substantial public investment already made translates into greater utilisation and sporting outcomes.

The meeting also reviewed the status of regularisation of Rehbar-e-Khel (ReKs) engaged by the department.

The Commissioner Secretary was informed that formalities related to the proposed regularisation of around 1,800 ReKs are at an advanced stage while a proposal covering another 500 ReKs has been submitted to the Finance Department.

Dr Shahid Iqbal directed that the process be pursued on priority and with the objective of completing the regularisation process for all eligible ReKs during the current year, subject to completion of requisite statutory and financial formalities.

The meeting also reviewed the status of Physical Education Masters, Zonal Physical Education Officers and Physical Education Lecturers, with particular focus on career progression, regularisation and convening of Departmental Promotion Committees at different levels. Directions were issued for completing the pending processes in a time-bound manner.

The Commissioner Secretary said that a strong sports system requires investment not only in infrastructure but also in coaches, physical education professionals, athletes and institutional capacity. He directed the officers to maintain close coordination across the Youth Services & Sports, Planning and Statistical Evaluation wings so that planning, funding, execution and monitoring remain aligned.

He directed for preparation of district-level action plans, close monitoring of project timelines and continued assessment of infrastructure and human-resource requirements to ensure that sports facilities across Jammu and Kashmir are increasingly accessible, functional and responsive to the needs of young people and athletes.