Jammu, June 2:
The Jammu and Kashmir Border Area Development Conference (BADC)—a registered organization dedicated to the welfare of border residents and tribal communities across J&K—has officially called upon the administration for focused, urgent attention on upgrading sports infrastructure in the border district of Poonch.
The advocacy group raised an alarm that countless young people in the frontier region are systematically being left behind due to a stark deficiency in basic, proper athletic training facilities.
Channelling Youth Energy Away From Drugs
Welcoming the aggressive anti-drug stance taken by Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Dr. Shazad Ahmed Malik, Chairman of BADC and former Vice Chancellor, emphasized that sports play an invaluable role in actively shaping the future of regional youth. According to Dr. Shazad, a robust sports ecosystem serves as a vital tool to pull young minds away from the threat of substance abuse, redirecting them toward productive playgrounds, competitive arenas, and green fields.
However, he pointed out a major gap between intent and reality on the ground:
“Despite a genuine enthusiasm and raw passion for athletics among local youth, many parts of Poonch still lack proper playgrounds, sports equipment, and professional training facilities. Several existing grounds are in a state of severe disrepair and desperately require maintenance, while many far-flung villages have no basic sports infrastructure whatsoever.” — Dr. Shazad Ahmed Malik, Chairman BADC
An Appeal for Equity in Difficult Terrains
Dr. Shazad maintained that children and youth living along these border belts possess genuine, undeniable talent but are restricted from advancing due to a lack of exposure, professional coaching, and modern infrastructure. He noted that regular sports participation is foundational for building physical fitness, mental discipline, and self-confidence among the younger demographic.
Given Poonch’s challenging, mountainous terrain and scattered rural population, the former Vice Chancellor argued that the district deserves a specialized developmental focus. He added that youth living in remote and rural areas must be granted an equal playing field to compete at district, UT, and national levels.
Key Administrative Demands Raised by BADC:
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Playground Upgradation: Direct intervention to repair, maintain, and upgrade existing damaged playing fields across the district.
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Indoor Sports Infrastructure: Setting up dedicated indoor sports facilities to counter weather disruptions and terrain challenges.
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Coaching & Exposure: Organizing structured coaching camps to scout and nurture raw border talent.
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Resource Distribution: Streamlining logistics to ensure essential sports gear and high-quality equipment reliably reach remote villages.
The BADC Chairman concluded with an urgent appeal to both the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir to collaboratively implement these structural sports reforms to safeguard and empower the region’s youth.
