Srinagar, April 26 -- Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said that sports must be harnessed as a force for social transformation. Sinha addressed the national 'Chintan Shivir' on sports at SKICC here. The three-day event organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports focuses on key policy challenges in sports, strengthening Centre-States/UTs coordination and charting a comprehensive roadmap to transform India into a global sporting superpower. The event is being attended by Sports Ministers from various states, sports administrators, Principal Secretaries from states and representatives from National Sports Federations. The Lieutenant Governor said that beyond medals, sports must be harnessed as a force for social transformation. "Infrastructure alone is not enough; it must be aligned with purposeful initiatives. Schools, communities, local administrations, and families must collaborate to create ecosystems where every young athlete finds a platform, whether on a running track, football field, basketball court or swimming pool to discover their potential," he said. He emphasized the importance of nurturing a sports culture at the grassroots, beginning in villages and local communities. "True champions rarely emerge solely from elite academies; they are discovered in small towns, neighbourhoods, and local clubs, where academies later refine their raw talent," he said. Sinha said sports must be woven into everyday life, extending beyond stadiums and competitions to thrive in neighbourhoods, streets, and open fields, becoming part of daily routines across all age groups.PTI...