Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse spearheaded a Grassroots Talent Identification camp for athletics and volleyball at the University of Kashmir during a two-day visit to Srinagar, coinciding with the Khelo India Water Sports Festival. The initiative, aimed at discovering promising young athletes, underscores the government’s commitment to nurturing sports talent in the region.

On Thursday, Khadse inaugurated the Khelo India Water Sports Festival at Dal Lake, an event featuring rowing, canoeing, and kayaking competitions that will continue until August 23. The following day, she oversaw the talent identification camp, which attracted over 150 male and female participants from districts such as Pulwama, Budgam, and Ganderbal. A team of experts conducted comprehensive tests, including 20m and 30m sprints, standing vertical jump, medicine ball throw, and the Cooper Test, to assess participants’ physical and athletic capabilities.

Khadse engaged with the young athletes, assuring them of the government’s unwavering support. “The talent we see here in Kashmir is immense,” she said. “Our goal is to ensure that every single one of these young athletes has a clear pathway from the grassroots level to the podium. We are not just building sports infrastructure; we are building a new generation of champions for India.”

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Athletes shortlisted from the camp will gain entry into the Sports Authority of India’s programs, including the National Centre of Excellence and SAI Training Centres, paving the way for their development into national and international competitors. The initiative highlights Kashmir’s growing role as a hub for sporting excellence.

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