The valley of Kashmir is indeed famed for exceptional talent in great adversity, producing so many sports persons whose rights must be recognized worldwide. Be it cricket or football, skiing or athletics, or even any other sport-Kashmir has a sports arena that has rich resources and the potential to bring many great athletes, for with the right impetus, they would be expected to shine at both the national and international levels.
Kashmir is definitely facing one of the biggest hurdles for sports, which is limited infrastructure and facilities. Athletes lack modern stadiums and indoor arenas and special training centres, thus hindering their talent and denying them chances to compete at the top level. Most coaches and sports scientists lack training, hence making it tough for local talent to blossom.
In this regard, sports academies on different disciplines should be established so that the youths could be drilled at an early stage. It would thus install in them discipline and commitment towards their interest in the sport as a profession.
Another important area of lack is exposure, which is a major lifeline for sports to develop in Kashmir. Most young athletes are not able to compete at national or international levels because opportunities to compete at the inter-state or international level are very rare.
Furthermore, the involvement of national and international sporting bodies also provides more opportunities to the Kashmiri athlete to participate in high-level competitions to bring Kashmiri athletes to global visibility.
Another need of the hour is sports with more gender concern. Like their male counterparts, women in Kashmir excel in all types of sports, but they have additional disabilities that restrict access to resources as well as training.
The sports potential exists for Kashmir, but it is still untapped as it needs huge investments at different levels of society and a concentrated effort.
It will be through this collaboration that the investment shall be made between the government and the private sectors and sports organizations to build modern indoor and outdoor facilities for training, preparing the athlete in a more effective environment to thrive.
