LG Says J&K Building Hockey Talent Pipeline From Schools to National Stage
Srinagar,KNT: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said Jammu and Kashmir is building a structured hockey talent pipeline from the school level to the national stage, as he highlighted growing investments in sports infrastructure and grassroots competitions across the Union Territory.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the ALFA Hockey Inter-School Tournament-2026 at the Synthetic Hockey Astro Turf in Srinagar’s Polo Ground, the Lieutenant Governor said the objective was not merely to organize competitions but to create opportunities for young athletes to identify and realize their sporting potential.
The tournament brought together students from 32 schools across several districts, including Kupwara, Bandipora, Kulgam and Shopian, showcasing the growing reach of hockey in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sinha said the region has witnessed a significant transformation in hockey over the past few years due to investments in sports infrastructure, grassroots-level tournaments and wider community participation.
“It is our aim to see more schools and more young players take up hockey in the coming years and establish Jammu and Kashmir as a cradle for world-class hockey talent,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said synthetic hockey turfs developed at Polo Ground Srinagar, Pulwama and Poonch have opened new opportunities for aspiring players from urban centres, border districts and remote areas.
He also announced that modern synthetic hockey turfs under construction at Bandhu Rakh and K.K. Hakku Stadium in Jammu will strengthen training facilities, coaching programs and talent identification mechanisms for young players.
Sinha said the government’s focus remains on creating pathways that enable athletes to progress from school competitions to regional and national platforms.
Congratulating the winners and participants, he praised the efforts of the J&K Sports Council, Badal Hockey Club and Hockey Jammu and Kashmir for providing a competitive platform to young players from across the Union Territory.
The event was attended by senior civil and police officers, sports administrators, coaches, teachers and students from participating schools. [KNT]
