SRINAGAR: Nearly 600 young athletes competed in 20 water-sports disciplines at Jashn-e-Dal 2026, which concluded with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha congratulating the Jammu and Kashmir Police for organising the event.
In a message following the completion of the event, Sinha said Jashn-e-Dal had grown beyond an annual sporting competition into a tradition with a strong emotional connection with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The participants competed in disciplines including kayaking, canoeing, rowing, sculling and the traditional shikara race, showcasing the Union Territory’s water-sports culture and sporting potential, he said.
Emphasising the role of sports in youth development, the Lieutenant Governor said sporting activities help young people develop determination, patience, courage and perseverance, besides providing opportunities to excel.
He urged athletes to pursue excellence with dedication and sincerity, describing them as inheritors of a proud sporting legacy and ambassadors of Jammu and Kashmir’s sporting future.
Sinha also called upon young people and citizens to contribute towards building a healthy and drug-free society, saying sports could channel youthful energy into nation-building, creativity and positive social change.
Commending the Jammu and Kashmir Police for its Civic Action Programme and youth-oriented initiatives, he cited campaigns such as ‘Run for Unity’ and the upcoming ‘Pedal for Paradise’ rally, saying such efforts had strengthened public trust, community participation and youth engagement.
Congratulating the medal winners, the Lieutenant Governor urged them to remain humble and encouraged other participants to treat setbacks as opportunities to improve and succeed in the future.
He expressed confidence that Jammu and Kashmir’s water-sports ecosystem would continue to expand, creating more opportunities for young athletes in the coming years.
