Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, concluded a significant two-day visit to Jammu & Kashmir, emphasizing the Centre’s deep commitment to strengthening India’s sports ecosystem through the Khelo Bharat Niti-2025. Her visit was marked by the inauguration of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025 at the iconic Dal Lake in Srinagar, and a comprehensive review of grassroots and elite-level sports initiatives in the region. The festival, showcasing competitions in rowing, canoeing, and kayaking, runs until August 23 and serves as a key platform to encourage regional participation in water sports.
As part of her focus on talent identification, Khadse personally supervised a Grassroots Talent Identification Camp hosted at the University of Kashmir, with special attention to Athletics and Volleyball. Over 150 young athletes from Pulwama, Budgam, Ganderbal, and other districts participated in a battery of athletic assessments, including sprinting, jumping, and endurance tests. The camp aims to scout and nurture future sporting stars, with shortlisted candidates being considered for induction into premier Sports Authority of India (SAI) programs like the National Centres of Excellence and SAI Training Centres. Addressing the young athletes, the Minister said, “The talent we see here in Kashmir is immense. 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.”
The Minister was accompanied by senior officials and dignitaries including Prof. Nilofar Khan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Kashmir; Sushant Kandwal, Director, Khelo India; Nadim Dar, Fit India representative; Bhavini Bargotya, Assistant Director; and Rahul Sangwan, High Performance Manager for Volleyball.
Furthering India’s international sports ambitions, Khadse also inaugurated the Asian Games Wushu Selection Trials at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC). These preliminary trials are a crucial part of India’s preparations for the 20th Asian Games 2026, focusing on the Wushu Sanda (combat) discipline. With over 200 athletes competing across seven weight categories (five for men and two for women), the trials represent a transparent, performance-based selection approach. Eight athletes from each category will be shortlisted to participate in ranking tournaments throughout the year, with final selection for the Games based on consistent performance.
In addition, the Minister felicitated nine medalists from the recent 12th Asian Junior Wushu Championships 2025, recognizing their contribution to India’s growing success on the global stage. “The commencement of these selection trials is a fantastic step in our journey towards a stronger presence on the international stage,” Khadse remarked. The Wushu trials event also saw the presence of key stakeholders including Nazhul Gul, Secretary, J&K Sports Council; Suhail Ahmad, CEO of the Wushu Federation of India; Anand Jain, ADGP (Armed Police); and Kuldeep Handoo, Arjuna Awardee.
Khadse’s visit not only showcased the sports potential of Jammu & Kashmir but also reinforced the Centre’s vision of empowering local talent to represent India at the highest levels of competition, laying the groundwork for a sporting revolution driven by inclusion, infrastructure, and inspiration.
