Sports Most ‘Honest Teacher’ in Life, Playing Field Never Lies: LG Manoj Sinha

Paying tribute to hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand at SKUAST Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha emphasizes sports science, grassroots talent, and the role of athletics in forging Viksit Bharat 2047.

By State Correspondents Bureau • Published: Saturday • Location: Srinagar

SRINAGAR: Describing sports as life’s ultimate moral anchor, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha noted that athletic competition reflects reality with total honesty, demanding discipline, resilience, and character rather than short-lived shortcuts.

Addressing a gathering at the Shalimar Campus of SKUAST Kashmir to commemorate National Sports Day and honor the enduring legacy of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, LG Sinha underscored the transformational power of athletics in individual growth and nation-building.

“Sport is life’s most honest teacher. The playing field never lies; rather, it tells you precisely where you stand today and what you must do to become better tomorrow. There are no shortcuts in sports. Even on the hockey turf, there is no place for excuses. There is only hard work, opportunity, and a test of your character.”

Paying homage to Major Dhyan Chand, the Lieutenant Governor remarked that the hockey wizard’s unparalleled mastery compelled global recognition for India’s sporting excellence. He stated that every strike of Dhyan Chand’s stick embodied unwavering resolve, grit, and purpose, establishing sports as an engine for collective pride rather than merely a hunt for medals.

“Sports cultivate the fundamental strength of nation-building that society needs. Sports produce young people who know how to fall and then rise again to hoist the flag of victory. Sports nurture the spirit and sentiment that teach us to believe in shared triumph.”

Grassroots Empowerment & Sports Science

LG Sinha articulated an inclusive sporting ecosystem where every Gram Panchayat across Jammu and Kashmir actively promotes athletics. He envisioned modern coaching academies taking root in smaller towns, ensuring that daughters of farmers receive cutting-edge, scientific coaching on par with athletes trained at metropolitan Centres of Excellence.

He urged universities and academic institutions to institutionalize specialized disciplines such as sports management, sports science, physiotherapy, and modern coaching methodologies to prepare professionals capable of supporting future Olympians. Highlighting the achievements of the past six years, the LG expressed confidence in J&K’s capacity to both produce world champions and host international sporting events.

Corporate Responsibility & Three Pillars of Youth Duty

The Lieutenant Governor called upon the private sector to step forward and support promising players at the talent identification stage, rather than backing them only after they reach the medal podium.

He outlined three core duties for the youth toward building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047:

Lead by Example: Compete with dignity, embrace defeat with grace, and motivate upcoming athletes through principled conduct.
Unify Across Boundaries: Utilize athletics to bridge divides across diverse faiths, regions, and languages.
Give Back to Society: Mentor the next generation of players, strengthening the community network that nurtures budding talent.

Commending the youth for their active participation in the regional Drug-Free Campaign, LG Sinha observed that societal progress cannot be assessed purely through economic metrics like GDP, but must reflect the vitality, mental strength, and confidence of its citizens.

“A healthy India is a fearless India. A sporting India is a confident India. And a confident India is an invincible India. Major Dhyan Chand gave the entire world one message: find your goal. That must be our message today as well. Whether in sports, science, or public service, we must identify our goal, move towards it, and achieve it together.”

Strategic Partnerships & Felicitations

During the event, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the National Sports Day pledge and felicitated outstanding student-athletes who excelled in the 69th National School Games.

Marking a substantial boost to the Union Territory’s sports development roadmap, key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the Directorate of Youth Services & Sports, J&K, and the Abhinav Bindra Foundation, Dani Sports Foundation, and Common Services Centres (CSC).

Prominent Attendees: Ashwani Kumar (Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department); Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary (Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services & Sports); Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai (Vice Chancellor, SKUAST Kashmir); Anshul Garg (Divisional Commissioner Kashmir); Sujit Kumar (IGP Kashmir); Akshay Labroo (Deputy Commissioner Srinagar); Anuradha Gupta (Director General, Youth Services & Sports), along with institutional partners, coaches, young sportspersons, and sports enthusiasts.