Transforming J&K: J&K Sport Policy 2022 accords importance to vibrant incentivized sports ecosystem in UT

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Scout’, ‘Engage’, ‘Facilitate’, and ‘Recognise’ are its basic cannons In order to make the sports lucrative for youth, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has sanctioned the implementation of Jammu & Kashmir Sports Policy 2022 with the institution of several sports awards, incentives, scholarships, appointment of outstanding sports persons among other features.This first ever policy document has been created with the vision of ‘games & sports for all’ and is designed to be in conformity with the National Sports Policy of the country.The policy document lays the thrust to create vibrant incentivized sports ecosystem through strategic interventions for sports in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The basic cannons of the policy are to ‘Scout’, ‘Engage’, ‘Facilitate’, and ‘Recognise’.The sports policy reflects the value current dispensation—being led by Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha—is giving this sector with focus on encouraging sports at both the rural and urban levels while ensuring the engagement of all.Recently, the Administrative Council (AC), which had met here under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved the rollout of the J&K Sports Policy 2022.Awards & Incentives to Sports PersonsThe Awards and incentives are provided to encourage and motivate the outstanding sportspersons for even higher achievements and to attract the younger generation to adopt sports as a career. These awards are also the expression of appreciation and nation-wide gratitude to winners.The Policy institutes various annual awards like Sher-i-Kashmir Award for Excellence in Sports for 10 sportsperson, J&K Khel Protsahana Award for Sports Association, and two veterans/ experienced sportspersons/ organizers or referees, Parshuram Award for five best Coaches in different disciplines.To further motivate the UT’s sporting talent, the Sports Policy announces special cash awards to the winners in Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Championship (Seniors/ Juniors), World Cup/ Championships, Youth Olympic Games, South Asian Games, and World University Games/ Championships; in the range of Rs one lakh to Rs one crore.LG/Chief Minister’s Gold Rolling Trophy for Sports Associations, this trophy (Replica) shall be presented to one best recognized UT Sports Associations of the J&K UT for having organized its activities at different District of the UT & participated in large number of recognized competitions outside the UT with medals.In order to motivate the youth of J&K to excel in sports, the Government shall provide jobs to 30 outstanding sportspersons per calendar year (05 in gazetted cadre and 25 in non-gazetted cadre) for winning medals at the national or representing/winning in international games/ competitions/ championships as per the rules notified by the General Administration Department, J&K.In the case of a player exceeding the age of participation in specific events or on account of injury limiting participation in events, their expertise would be used to impart specialized training to players.In-service sportspersons who excel in sports during their service career, shall be considered for grant of advance increments, as per the rules notified by General Administration Department.The Government also proposes to grant out of turn promotion to outstanding sportspersons for medal winning performance in Olympic games, Common Wealth Games and Asian games.UT Award to Outstanding SportspersonsThis will be highest award of the UT Government for the outstanding players of J&K. The award shall be announced every year on the occasion of Republic Day celebrations. Such award will enhance prestige of sportspersons and motivate them to perform better at national and international level.The scope of award shall be suitably increased/modified and notified by the UT Government from time to time.Special Cash Award to Outstanding SportspersonsSpecial cash awards shall be given to the sportspersons of J&K who win first, second and third position in National and International competitions conducted by authorized international / national sports bodiesTo give further impetus to the sports activities, the winners in all recognized National competitions and National School Games in various sports disciplines will be granted specified scholarships from the Directorate of Youth Service & Sports. The vision of engaging every citizen in some form of physical activity, towards the promotion of a healthy active lifestyle will not only contribute to the health of J&K, but will also contribute to the overall health of the human capital of the nation.One among the key highlights of this Sports Policy is the progressive mechanism for