Union Minister of State for Sports, Raksha Khadse, has supported the government’s decision to bar bilateral sporting events with Pakistan, saying the move reflects the sentiments of the people. She added that India remains committed to promoting sports, but “the country comes first.”
‘A good decision in current times’
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar on Thursday, Khadse said India’s strained relations with Pakistan, especially after Operation Sindoor, justified the stand. “The way our relations are these days, I think it is a good decision. For us, the country and its people come first. We cannot hurt their feelings by bringing players from such a country,” she remarked.
Under the current policy, Indian athletes will only face Pakistani players in multilateral tournaments approved by international federations, while bilateral competitions remain suspended.
Jammu & Kashmir as water sports hub
The minister was in Srinagar to inaugurate the Khelo India Water Sports Festival at Dal Lake. Praising the turnout, Khadse said the government aims to make Jammu and Kashmir a leading destination for water sports, just as Gulmarg has emerged as the country’s winter sports capital.
“We are witnessing very good participation here. The way J-K has become the winter games capital of the country, we want it to become the capital for water games as well,” she said.
Boosting sports tourism
Khadse also underlined the government’s focus on sports tourism in the Union Territory. “J-K is already famous for its scenic beauty. If we connect it with sports, we can take it to the international level. The youth here are getting encouraged, and we will ensure they get the facilities needed to excel,” she said.
The festival at Dal Lake is part of the government’s broader strategy to expand sports opportunities and encourage local talent.
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