Srinagar, Nov 5 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council has completed 85 infrastructure works under its 2026–27 capital expenditure programme, while four cricket academies in Srinagar, Jammu, Anantnag and Udhampur are targeted for completion by January 2027, officials informed Youth Services and Sports Minister Mir Saifullah on Thursday.

The progress was reviewed at a meeting chaired by the Minister, where officials presented the status of sports infrastructure projects, coaching facilities, Khelo India initiatives and financial assistance to recognised sports associations across Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the figures presented, 264 works have been included in the Sports Council's Capex programme for the current financial year, with an approved outlay of Rs 128.87 crore.

Of this amount, Rs 96.07 crore has been released so far, while 85 works have been completed against the annual target of 120.

The completed works include 82 ongoing projects carried forward from previous periods and three new works.

Officials informed the Minister that synthetic turf fields at Azad Ganj in Baramulla, Draggad in Shopian, Gassu Hazratbal in Srinagar and Mendhar in Poonch have been physically completed.

The synthetic turf facility at Bandhu Rakh in Jammu has achieved around 65 per cent physical progress and is scheduled for completion by December 2026.

The meeting also reviewed the establishment of four cricket academies in Srinagar, Jammu, Anantnag and Udhampur, aimed at strengthening training infrastructure and providing opportunities to emerging cricketers.

Civil works for the academies have been allotted, with completion targeted for January next year.

At Gindun Sports Complex in Rajbagh, construction of the gymnastics hall has been completed, while gymnastics and archery equipment has also been procured.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The proposed shooting facility at the complex remains at the preparatory stage, with the tendering process expected to follow a scheduled visit by experts from the Sports Authority of India.

Officials also briefed the Minister on the development of high-performance Taekwondo training centres across Jammu and Kashmir, for which procurement of training equipment has been completed.

The review covered infrastructure developed under the Khelo India scheme, including synthetic hockey turfs at Polo Ground in Srinagar and K.K. Hakku Stadium in Jammu, the synthetic athletics track at Tulibal in Sopore and the indoor sports hall at Shalnar in Budgam.

Several sports facilities have also been identified as ready for inauguration, including football turfs, an artificial rock-climbing wall at M.A. Stadium in Jammu and a prefabricated indoor hall at S.K. Stadium in Bandipora.

Upgraded playfields and sports courts at different locations across the Union Territory are also among the facilities awaiting inauguration.

The Minister reviewed the provision of dugouts, water coolers and other support facilities intended to improve conditions for athletes.

The meeting also examined grants-in-aid extended to recognised sports associations for organising district and Union Territory-level championships, pre-participation coaching camps and participation in national competitions.

Assistance for hosting major sporting events and expanding competitive opportunities for athletes also figured in the discussions.

Special Secretary Youth Services and Sports Tazayun Mukhtar Kawos, Secretary J&K Sports Council and other senior officials attended the meeting. (KNS)