LG Saxena Gives Major Push to Put Ladakh on India's Sporting Map
LEH, JULY 3: Ladakh's sporting scene received a major boost on Friday as Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at nurturing young talent through world-class infrastructure, financial support for athletes and skill development opportunities.
New sports infrastructure takes centre stage. The LG inaugurated a state-of-the-art 40m × 20m futsal court with artificial turf at the Learning Centre in Thiksey in the presence of His Eminence Thiksey Rinpoche.
Built to suit Ladakh's high-altitude conditions, the facility will provide year-round opportunities for young athletes to train, compete and sharpen their skills while promoting discipline, resilience and teamwork.
Indoor sports get an all-weather venue. Saxena also inaugurated a Mini Indoor Stadium at Chuchot Gongma, which will serve as a hub for indoor sports, coaching and community activities despite Ladakh's harsh winters.
He said the Administration was committed to creating world-class sporting infrastructure that would inspire young athletes to excel on national and international platforms.
Skill development remains another focus. The LG flagged off 36 youth from across Ladakh, including 34 girls, for employment-linked residential training at the GMR Varalakshmi Centre for Empowerment and Livelihoods in New Delhi.
For most of the participants, it is their first journey outside Ladakh. The fully sponsored programme offers market-oriented skill training along with assured placement assistance.
Linking the initiative to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, Saxena said the selection of 34 girls reflects the Prime Minister's commitment to empowering women through skill development.
He said the programme would equip Ladakh's youth with industry-relevant skills, making them confident, self-reliant and employment-ready while contributing to the Union Territory's growth.
Top athletes also received a morale boost. The LG extended financial assistance of ₹50,000 each to four accomplished sportspersons from Ladakh—Stanzin Tsewang and Skarma Dawa Zesal, who will represent India at the Asian Pencak Silat Championship; Shanaz Parveen, the first woman from Ladakh to represent India twice at the World University Games; and Padma Namgail, one of Ladakh's youngest Mount Everest summiteers through an NCC expedition.
Recognising excellence, Saxena said Ladakh's sportspersons are the pride of the Union Territory and deserve every possible encouragement.
He said the financial assistance was a small gesture to boost their morale as they continue to bring laurels to Ladakh and the nation.
Ladakh Administration has signalled its determination to harness the immense sporting potential of its youth and firmly place Ladakh on India's sporting map.
