New Delhi/Leh Jan 09: Member Parliament from Ladakh Mohmad Haneefa Jan met Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandviya in the national capital on Friday and pressed for urgent steps to strengthen sports infrastructure in Ladakh with a clear focus on winter disciplines.
Haneefa was joined in the meeting by Abdul Wahid, Councillor from Drass. The MP later posted on social media that the talks centred around the hardships faced by athletes from Ladakh who struggle with limited training facilities and often have to travel outside the region to pursue competitive careers. He said the Minister assured full cooperation and agreed to visit Ladakh soon to see the ground situation himself.
Abdul Wahid expressed gratitude to the MP for arranging the interaction and for placing the concerns of Drass directly before the Union Minister. Wahid said that youth in the region are hopeful that better facilities will arrive soon to match their growing interest in sports and outdoor activities.
During the meeting the leaders highlighted the demand for a youth hostel at Drass to support trainees and visitors. They also sought financial support for the Kargil Path Yatra and Vijay Diwas 2026 events which would include a Salam Kargil cultural exchange programme bringing together youth from different states. They urged assistance to revive traditional horse polo and to provide equipment for winter sports including ice skiing snow skiing and horse polo.
Requests were also placed for a high altitude indoor sports arena for year-round training and for better employment avenues for local youth who currently take up labour jobs with the Army and GREF due to the absence of alternatives. The development of Saurabh Kalia Cricket Stadium at Kaksar was also flagged as an immediate priority.
According to Wahid the Minister responded positively and conveyed that the Centre will extend support to the proposals. He also said that Mandviya promised to travel to Drass in the coming months and meet stakeholders to speed up the projects.
Wahid said that the people of Drass see fresh hope in this engagement and trust that the Central Government will continue to encourage youth development sports promotion and regional progress in Ladakh.
