Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said that youngsters from Jammu and Kashmir are interested in participating in sports and his Ministry is actively making plans for different cities and vills of region to conduct sports activities. 

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Rijiju on youth in Jammu & Kashmir

"Yesterday, I met a number of young people from Jammu and Kashmir. y want to take part in sports. We are making plans for different cities and vills, we will take everyone along," Rijiju said while speaking to reporters after flagging of Great Ganga Run Marathon at Jawaharlal Nehru Stium in New Delhi on Sunday.

Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was also present at Marathon’s launch. 

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Government's sports-based initiatives  

On August 5, Government of India in a historic decision, revoked Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and reorganized state as two Union Territories namely Jammu & Kashmir and Lakh. After reorganization, Central Government along with local bodies has been taking initiatives to promote sports in region which is being hailed as an excellent initiative. y are being given opportunities to join security forces too. 

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Sunil Kumar, District Youth Service and Sports officer of Kathua while speaking to ANI said, "Sports is important to stay fit and healthy. Sportspersons are given opportunity to join security forces too as y have stamina to face any situation, wher it be on hills or plains. department has set up an annual calendar to give an opportunity to youth, including girls, to participate in various games." 

"After first part of Khelo India, second part of same will be completed shortly. At present inter-school and district level games are being played in sports stium, Kathua. Young men and women have been taking part in it in large numbers," he ded.

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