Jammu, Feb 6 (.) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that Rs 155 crore has been allocated for the Sports and Youth Affairs sector for the year 2026-27.
“The Sports and Youth Affairs sector has been allocated Rs 155 crore under capital expenditure for 2026-27, which is an increase of Rs 17 crore from the revised allocation for 2025-26,” the Chief Minister said while presenting his second budget of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir in the Legislative Assembly.
“My Government is prioritising youth development through an integrated approach to sports, culture, fitness and civic engagement. Modern sports infrastructure is being developed to ensure a bright future for young athletes,” he said.
The Chief Minister said so far, two Centres of Excellence and 92 Khelo India Centres have been established, adding, “digital enablement will be operationalised to scale youth registrations on the ‘My BHARAT’ portal from 5.5 lakh to 20 lakh.”
“We aim to build a digital athlete ecosystem with unique IDs, performance dashboards, verified certificates and tracking from grassroots to elite levels,” he said, adding, “A structured tournament pathway has been institutionalised and over 15.39 lakh students now participate at various levels, leading to around 2,500 athletes representing J&K at the National School Games.”
Jammu and Kashmir successfully conducted the Fifth edition of its flagship Winter Sports Programme, reinforcing its position as India’s premier winter sports capital, he said and added, “We also hosted the first-ever Khelo India Water Sports festival, giving fresh momentum to rowing, kayaking, and other water-based disciplines.”
The hosting of the Third Asian Pencak Silat Championship, with participation of about 300 athletes from over 12 countries, showcased J&K’s organisational excellence, he said.
“J&K athletes have delivered strong results, with 11 Gold, Nine Silver and 18 Bronze medals at the 69th National School Games and notable performances at international events, including the Paris 2024 Paralympics.”
“Over 29 lakh youth engagements were ensured up to December 2025, with large number of sports activities, including one national event, 20 UT-level championships, five major leagues and 338 community sports programmes, alongside flagship events such as the Jammu Cyclothon, Football and Cricket Premier Cups, South Kashmir Volleyball League, Snow Festivals and the Sixth Khelo India Winter Games 2026 in Gulmarg and Srinagar,” he said.
He said KhelGaon, Nagrota would be developed as a major multi-sport hub of J&K, with 17 projects (eight completed and remaining nearing completion).
“New proposals include a Tennis Academy, remodelling of Cricket Ground, and a new Office Complex for Directorate of YSS,” he said and added that the GCOPE, Ganderbal to be strengthened as a premier Physical Education institution with existing facilities, including Athletic Track and Synthetic Football and Hockey Turfs.
“Proposed additions include a Multi-Purpose Indoor Hall, floodlighting for Cricket Ground, Research Centre, and completion of Boys Hostel while Playfield Development Programme to promote grassroots sports infrastructure through levelling, filling, drainage, fencing, and protection works, creating entry-level sports hubs for youth, schools, and communities,” he said.
The Chief Minister stated that 118 sports facilities are proposed across J&K to boost youth participation and community engagement, including the construction and upgradation of Volleyball, Badminton, Pickleball, Handball Courts, Cricket Practice Pitches, Dugouts, and allied infrastructure.
He said the completion of ongoing works under the Sports Council are Five Synthetic Turf Fields to be developed at Azad Ganj (Baramulla), Draggad (Shopian), Gassu Hazratbal, BandhuRakh (Jammu), and Mendhar (Poonch) and added, “four cricket academies to be established at Srinagar, Udhampur, Anantnag, and Jammu to nurture professional cricket talent.”
He said the Gymnastics Academy and Archery and Shooting Centre to be developed at Gindun Rajbagh, Srinagar while High Performance Taekwondo Centres to be established in all districts.
“Support infrastructure including hand-held rollers, water ATMs, dugouts, and a toddler swimming pool to be procured and developed for improved facility management and athlete welfare,” said the Chief Minister. . VBH .