J&K Chief Secretary Reviews Massive 2026 Sports Roadmap to Engage 40 Lakh Youth

JAMMU | January 16, 2026 — Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today assessed an ambitious youth engagement roadmap for 2026 presented by the Department of Youth Services & Sports (DYSS), targeting the participation of over 40 lakh youth across Jammu and Kashmir.

The high-level meeting focused on a year-long calendar featuring sports, fitness, and cultural activities designed to promote social participation and sporting excellence.

Dulloo emphasized the need for outcome-oriented execution and directed the department to host national and international events to inspire local talent while utilizing modern infrastructure funds to meet global standards.

A major component of the 2026 strategy is the digital transformation of the sports ecosystem. The Chief Secretary directed the department to increase registrations on the My BHARAT portal from 5.5 lakh to at least 20 lakh and called for the creation of an online athlete-tracking platform.

This system is expected to feature unique Sports IDs, performance dashboards, and real-time tracking of progression from grassroots to elite levels. Additionally, the government aims to integrate cultural events through a year-round calendar to provide platforms for youth in creative arts alongside competitive athletics.

The presentation highlighted a significant upward trend in participation, with over 36.45 lakh individuals engaged in various initiatives during the 2025–26 cycle as of December 2025. Notable successes were celebrated, including J&K’s title as Overall National Champions in Taekwondo and the achievements of inspirational athletes like Paralympic medalist Sheetal Devi.

Moving forward, the J&K Sports Council plans to conduct 364 activities in the first quarter of 2026, including the 6th Edition of Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg and Srinagar, further cementing the Union Territory’s position as a premier sporting destination.