SPORTS & YOUTH IN KASHMIR
Participating in a sport can be a helpful way of reducing stress levels and increasing feelings of physical and mental well being. Sports provide physical and mental stress relief, which ensures both physical and mental well being. That being said, what does the Kashmiri youth feel about sports being a stress buster or better still as a choice of profession. The fragile socio-political landscape, affected by continuing violent conflict and instability, has created a deep sense of uncertainty amongst the local population, particularly the Kashmiri youth. Kashmiri youth have grown up in this adverse environment and have faced tremendous stress. Feeling of desperation, anger and helplessness is largely prevalent among them. While the Army has played the role of a protector, the propaganda by the enemy is always targeted towards projecting the Indian Army as an Instrument of Government of India’s policy to curb the freedom of Kashmiris.
For an area with the majority of population falling in the category of ‘Youth’, the separatist ideology fueled with the resources from across the border is a constant obstacle towards the development of youth in the region. At this juncture, ‘Sports’ can be seen as an answer or at least a medium through which the energy of the Kashmiri youth can be channelized on the correct path. Against the background of the Kashmir conflict, the Government initiatives in the sports sector are being promoted with the specific aim of trying to draw the Kashmiri youth away from the conflict.
Kashmir, with its hilly terrain & swift flowing rivers, offer opportunities for various adventure sports including skiing, paragliding, mountaineering, rock climbing, ice skating & ice hockey. The National Winter games was held in Gulmarg in 1996, 2004 & 2008. The second leg of the first ‘Khelo India Winter Games’ were held in Mar 2020 in Gulmarg. Other than the adventure sports, other sports activities which have a promising future for the youth in the region include basketball, athletics, football and cricket. Basketball, with the aid of local administration & efforts by the security forces has got a new life line. Having created a strong base, the state is trying to capitalize on the foundations to popularize the sport in the region.
Football, is a popular sport in Kashmir, both amongst boys & girls alike. The first time a football team from the region participated in the ‘Santosh Trophy’ was in 1964. The region has produced some very good players, who have been part of top football teams in India such as Mohan Bagan & East Bengal FCs. Initiatives like ‘Football team from every village’ have also been initiated by the Government.
Cricket is the second most popular sport in the region amongst youths. Some of the players from the region have even been selected for T-20 IPL matches for teams such as Sunrisers Hyderabad & Kings XI Punjab. The case of Jasia Akhta, the first woman to be selected from the region for the Indian National Womens Cricket team speaks for itself about the interest levels in the sport amongst the Girls in the region.
The initiatives by the Government to promote sports at ground zero could help in promoting talent amongst the youth and counter the subversive agenda of the enemy. The Government has established the Youth Services & Sports department with an aim of nurturing talent amongst the youth in the field of sports. The Government has been engaging the youth in multidisciplinary sports activities ranging from organizing coaching camps & implementing the largest Sports Carnival – first of its kind, through the programme of Khelo India scheme at Villages & Block levels.
The enthusiasm and excitement amongst the youth for sports is an ideal channel of expression of youth energies that have been a victim of long turbulence in the region. It is a well known fact that the youth of Kashmir are a great asset. They are indeed the future of the country and represent it at every level. The role of Kashmiri youth in nation-building is much more important than one might think. As every citizen of the country is equally responsible, the Youth of Kashmir is too. The youth of Kashmir are very energetic and enthusiastic. They have the ability to learn and adapt, to bring social reforms and improvements in society and thus help the nation in achieving its goal of progress. The foremost requirement is to nurture the youth, guide them and allow them to grow in a positive environment and this can be achieved with sports as an important medium.
– Lt Col Akhil Dhawan
