Editorial | Build playgrounds, shape future

The destiny of Kashmir is not only in political peace or economic growth, but in the way we nurture and enable the dreams of our youth. Over the last few years, there has been much emphasis on skilling, jobs, and mental health of youth throughout the Valley. One vital component of youth development continues to be overlooked, however sports infrastructure at the grassroots level.

It is long overdue that the government embarks upon a mission-mode development of sports and recreation infrastructure in rural parts. We emphatically espouse a policy measure that will provide a separate playground in each panchayat of the Kashmir Valley. It is not just about providing areas to play. It is about making an investment in the health, discipline, and future of our youth. It is all about keeping them out of harmful distractions and providing them with healthier alternatives for development.

Kashmir’s youth generation is highly gifted. Football, cricket, martial arts, or winter sports – we have witnessed our girls and boys excel even without training and facilities. Just think about their capabilities if they were provided with modern playgrounds and sporting equipment at walking distances from their homes.

Sports have long been recognized as an instrument of strong social change. It fosters collaboration, instills character, and directs energy in a positive manner. In war-torn areas such as ours, it is even more critical. A football game can unite communities, a cricket tournament can ignite hope, and a sports meet can give youth a sense of purpose and self.

A lack of playgrounds usually ends up with kids and youths having nothing to do but hang about the streets, become addicted to mobile devices, or worse, end up in bad habits. In an area where most youths are still fighting unemployment, trauma, and poverty of purpose, sporting facilities can be a low-cost, high-impact intervention.

Why panchayat? Because it is the most immediate and most grass-roots unit of administration. Construction of a playground in every panchayat will bring sports facilities within reach of people and cut out dependence on district centers or private clubs. All children whether in the far-flung areas of Keran or the plains of Pulwama should have an equal chance to play, train, and develop.

This model is also administratively viable. The Jammu & Kashmir Government has already given panchayats power through different decentralization programs. Rural development and youth services departments, with the support of local leaders, can locate appropriate land, raise money, and provide maintenance.

The concept does not have to be huge or costly. An open area of land with a couple of goalposts, a cricket wicket, or a volleyball net can be the beginning. Years later, these amenities can be added upon with fencing, locker rooms, or floodlights. Sponsorship of kits or training camps can be encouraged from public-private partnerships. Youth clubs, already very active in most places, can be enlisted for repeated use and upkeep.

This proposal is consistent with the vision of Khelo India and the Union Government’s overall vision of a fit India. Jammu & Kashmir can become a trendsetter by introducing a “Khelo Panchayat” mission, an initiative targeted towards making playgrounds available to everyone.

The funds for this initiative can be drawn from available rural development programs such as MGNREGA, convergence with Back to Village (B2V) grants, or district CAPEX budget. Funds can also be sought from international donors and NGOs working on child development. More importantly, the youth affairs ministry could reserve a specific annual allocation for panchayat-level sports facilities.

The payoff will not be limited to sport. Research indicates that kids who play regularly do better in school and avoid dangerous behavior. Mental health is better, social relationships are strengthened, and self-esteem is improved. In addition, playfields become community hubs where older people stroll in the morning, women socialize in the evening, and kids play throughout the day. These are the foundations of healthy rural life.

In the long term, these spaces can also be nurseries for talent. Scouts and coaches would travel to villages, identify budding players, and take them to higher levels. Some might even reach state and national teams. But all of them will gain from having a green, open, secure space to be themselves.

We appeal to the Jammu & Kashmir government, particularly the Rural Development and Youth Services departments, to implement a time-bound schedule to have one working playground for each panchayat in the next two years. This should be a peoples’ campaign where each sarpanch, educator, and parent wants to contribute to building the future generations.

If we are to construct a peaceful and prosperous Kashmir, we need to start by investing in our children. A playground for every panchayat is not an idea it is a guarantee of opportunity, health, and hope. Let’s play for a better tomorrow.