Introduction
All work and no play makes jack a dull boy. Sports teaches us how to handle failure, to get up and try again when we lose. The physical health of the body is essential for success in life, as is mental health & education & thus the importance of physical education is paramount. In the modern age, the importance of games has been fully realised. An unhealthy man is sad, gloomy and hence unsure of himself. Whereas healthy body is home to a healthy & positive mind. We have seen, in today’s India, sports provides with handsome monetary benefits as we know professional sports & athletes are earning in millions both in terms of prize money & endorsements. Not only this today becoming a professional sportsman or athlete is a matter of pride and one earns respect & well-earned stature in the society & the community. Question is do the youth of Kashmir have this potential?
Potential
Kashmir is not only about natural beauty, it also has unparalleled potential to be the best adventure sports destination of the world, which itself can bring transformation among its young population, if sports is taken as a priority. Amongst the total population of J&K, the youth represents 69%. In Kashmir, the rate of unemployed youth is growing and they become easy prey of anti – national elements & fall into trap of enemies of peace. Not only this, rising drug abuse among the youth is alarming. It is not possible for the government to provide a government job to every individual but it is definitely possible that government & state agencies can guide the youth and provide them with sustainable coaching & sponsorship to excel in sports.
The aim is to use sports to transform the youth into a self-confident, organised, and competent workforce, which could bring social changes and economic development to the region. To keep youngsters away from anti-national activities, secessionist mindset and drug abuse, a massive change in the sports infrastructure is required across J&K.
Talent
Popular sports in J&K include Cricket, Football and Winter Sports along with sports like Golf, Water Sports and Adventure sports. The National Winter Games were held in Gulmarg in 1996, 2004 and 2009. The first Khelo India Winter Games were held in February and March 2020 in Leh and Gulmarg. J&K won the most Gold Medals (26 Gold, 29 Silver and 21 Bronze) while the Indian Army team came second with 8 gold medals.
The second edition of the Winter Games were also held successfully in Gulmarg in 2020 with J&K bagging first and Karnataka second.
J&K has produced numerous International and National level players including Gul Dev, the first Kashmiri Olympian, numerous Indian Premier League Cricketers such as Abdul Samad & Mithun Manhas, Sharp Shooter- Chain Singh and footballer Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Ishrat Akhtar – International wheelchair basketball player, among others. Sports helps these youth connect, get exposure at National & International level & find purpose. Being Highlanders, Kashmiri youth has an added advantage of physical robustness, but at the same time there’s a serious lack of exposure & guidance.
Peace Building Measures
J&K is home to a variety of sports despite its terrain. From Skiing to Cricket, youth of Kashmir are embracing a diverse range of sports to indulge in. Sports is becoming a part of peace building worldwide. In Kashmir Sports can bring people together towards a common aim. Building relationships between different groups of the community, conflict can be transformed. “In the field of peace building, sports are defined broadly as activities that foster physical fitness, inclusion and mental health, including: free play, recreation, organized sports, casual sports, competitive sports, and indigenous sports or games.” (UN, 2003).
Way Ahead
Recently, J&K also received a special package from the Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. A 200-crore rupees package has been given to the Union Territory. Special sports festivals are being organised in every district of Union Territory to look for talent in these smaller areas and train them to become professional athletes. Big steps like these can be a major game changer in the lives of Kashmiri youth, as we’ve seen in the state of Haryana & Punjab. It is evident that Central Government is keen to harness the potential of these youth which has not been tapped for long and instead has been directed in anti-national & separatists in the past. With the bloom of internet & social media, mindset & perception of Kashmiri youth is changing, like any other youngster of the Nation. Kashmiri youth is also willing to do well in life, be part of the mainstream and become a better & responsible citizen. For the same to be achieved development of Sports Infrastructure in Kashmir & correct and impartial harnessing of potential of Kashmiri youth is of prime importance. This can certainly be a catalyst and a game changer in the overall development prospect of Jammu & Kashmir.
Youth is the powerhouse of a state or a nation. Youth can help transform approach and ideology of a larger sector. At the same time a misguided or poorly guided youth can be disastrous in the nation building process. Sports can be an effective tool in transforming youth of the modern Kashmir. Many are already coming forward and indulging themselves in various sports activities at a professional level. Main reason for laggards can be identified as there’s a will but there’s a lack of inspiration, infrastructure & guidance. Indian Army is already organising various sports events for local youth Sadbhavna ventures. It is high time that the local administration also takes charge of the situation and makes efforts to channelize the youth of Kashmir in Nation building process, and towards this end Sports can be a very effective medium to change the lifestyle & perception of modern Kashmiri youth.
