Stresses revival of traditional Games, calls on youth to emulate courage
Drass, Aug 28: Unveiling his bold vision for Ladakh emphasising blending cultural heritage with youth empowerment and world-class infrastructure, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, on Thursday, reaffirmed UT Ladakh Administration’s vision of positioning Ladakh as a centre of cultural heritage, sporting excellence, and youth-driven growth.
He said the Union Territory will prioritise the revival of traditional games like horse polo, expand winter sports, and create a strong ecosystem that blends culture, tourism, and modern infrastructure to give new opportunities to the youth and preserve Ladakh’s distinct identity for generations to come.
“Our vision is to create world-class infrastructure while preserving Ladakh’s cultural roots. This will not only boost tourism but also open new avenues for local employment and youth empowerment,” he said.
The Lt Governor was addressing the closing ceremony of the 5th LG Polo Cup at Goshan Horse Polo Stadium in Drass, where the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre clinched the title by defeating D Meadows Drass 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout.
A total of 17 teams, including 12 men’s and 5 women’s teams from across Ladakh, participated in the tournament, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for polo across the region.
The Lt Governor said that polo, introduced in Ladakh in the 17th century, is not only a royal and prestigious sport but also a symbol of the region’s rich cultural heritage. He announced that the UT Administration will take up the matter with the Centre to recognise horse polo as a traditional game of Ladakh and provide dedicated support for its promotion at the national and international level.
Kavinder Gupta emphasised that alongside polo, Ladakh will focus on developing other indigenous sports and winter games, with a special focus on ice hockey and the Khelo India Winter Games, to diversify opportunities for youth and position the Union Territory as a premier sports tourism destination.
Paying homage to the martyrs of the Kargil War, the Lt Governor said that the bravery of the 542 soldiers who laid down their lives for the nation will always inspire the people of Ladakh. He called upon the youth to emulate their courage, discipline, and dedication in every field, including sports.
The Lt Governor hailed the efforts of veterans and local players for keeping the centuries-old tradition alive and emphasised the sport’s potential to become a tourism attraction. He also underlined the importance of greater women’s participation in polo, calling it a reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of women empowerment.
Highlighting Hon’ble Prime Minister’s mantra of women empowerment, he expressed his happiness over the participation of a large number of girls in horse polo and appreciated their initiative in dabbling in horse polo.
Assuring adequate funds for promoting sports in Ladakh, including funds for proper coaching for further development of horse polo in the region, the Lt Governor emphasised introducing horse polo in schools also, so that even the young generation would engage in the sport and make it popular.
While presenting the trophy, the Lt Governor congratulated the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre for their victory and praised the discipline and spirit of the players. He also appreciated the enthusiasm of all participating teams, especially the girls, noting that their efforts reflected true sportsmanship and respect for Ladakh’s traditions. He said that beyond winning or losing, the larger goal is to revive polo and build a culture of teamwork, resilience, and pride in the Union Territory.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman and CEC, LAHDC Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, highlighted the cultural legacy of the game and requested the Lt Governor’s intervention in promoting the game by providing adequate funds. He hoped that Drass would turn into a winter sports hub after the opening of the Zoji La Tunnel and requested the UT Administration’s intervention to tap Drass’ potential of becoming a top winter sports destination.
Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Mohmad Hanifa Jan, emphasised the need for financial and logistical assistance to promising players from UT Ladakh so that they could excel in various sports. He also highlighted the need to expedite the implementation of the Sports Policy in Ladakh.
Administrative Secretary, Bhanu Prabha, IAS, along with Councillors Abdul Wahid and Abdul Samad, also spoke on the occasion.
The event was attended by Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil, Kacho Feroz Ahmed; Joint Director, Youth Services and Sports, Tahir Hussain Zubdavi; Director, Rural Development Department, Deputy Commissioner Kargil Rakesh Kumar and SSP Kargil Shree Ram R.
