SRINAGAR, SEPT 18: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Youth Services & Sports, and Science & Technology Satish Sharma on Friday directed greater focus on grassroots talent identification, regular competitions and professional coaching to provide Jammu and Kashmir’s young sportspersons with sustained opportunities to excel in competitive sports.
The Minister was speaking while attending the concluding league-stage match of the Khyber Cement Kashmir Super League 2026, powered by Athwas Retail and Athwas Hyundai, between Swift Strikers Rainawari FC and Sanctorum North United FC.
Swift Strikers Rainawari FC registered a comprehensive 6–0 victory to secure the fourth and final play-off berth. With the completion of the league stage, Athwas India XI emerged as league winners, while the qualified teams advanced to the play-off stage for the championship title.
Interacting with players, team officials and organisers, Satish Sharma appreciated the efforts behind creating a competitive platform for local footballers and directed that young players be provided with regular match exposure and quality competition to help them progress to higher levels.
He stressed that sports development should go beyond infrastructure creation and include professional coaching, systematic talent identification, regular tournaments and sustained competitive exposure.
The Minister said Jammu and Kashmir has considerable sporting potential, particularly among its youth, and called for stronger mechanisms to identify promising players at the grassroots level and provide them with opportunities to develop their skills.
He also emphasised the need to encourage youngsters to pursue sports with discipline, dedication and long-term commitment, noting that talented sportspersons should be provided suitable pathways to pursue sports as a potential career.
Satish Sharma directed stakeholders to strengthen coordination among government departments, sporting bodies, coaches, athletes, private partners and the community to create a vibrant sporting ecosystem in J&K.
He said football’s strong popularity among the youth provides an important opportunity to convert enthusiasm into structured participation and competitive achievement. He also highlighted the role of major sporting events in promoting teamwork, discipline, leadership, perseverance and healthy lifestyles.
The Minister appreciated the contribution of coaches, referees, technical officials, team managements, organisers, sponsors and football supporters in making the Kashmir Super League successful.
Congratulating Athwas India XI on emerging as league winners and Swift Strikers Rainawari FC on securing a play-off berth, Satish Sharma extended his best wishes to all teams entering the knockout stage.
He reiterated that the government would continue supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening sports infrastructure, expanding competitive opportunities and systematically nurturing young sporting talent across Jammu and Kashmir.
