Jammu, March 27, 2025 – The Department of Youth Services and Sports in Jammu and Kashmir has officially released its Calendar of Activities for the 2025-26 year, aiming to bolster the region’s ambition of becoming a prominent sporting hub. Announced on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, the comprehensive schedule emphasises fairness and transparency in the selection of players and teams, aligning with the government’s vision to elevate sports standards across the Union Territory.
The release event, attended by Commissioner Secretary of Youth Services and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez, and Director General of DYSS, Rajinder Singh Tara, underscored a pivotal shift in operational transparency. A key highlight of the 2025-26 calendar is the mandate to announce selection lists immediately at the competition venues. This move eliminates the previous practice of requiring players to confirm their selection through office visits or phone calls, ensuring a more equitable and streamlined process. “The selection lists must be disclosed on the spot at the venues itself,” Hafeez and Tara jointly stated, signaling an end to delays and ambiguities in team formations.
The DYSS calendar outlines a robust lineup of sporting events and initiatives designed to nurture talent and promote competitive excellence. Among the priorities is the inclusion of refresher courses for officials in disciplines such as fencing, boxing, and other key sports. These training programs aim to equip officials with up-to-date knowledge and skills, fostering an environment conducive to producing international-caliber athletes from Jammu and Kashmir. The department’s focus on capacity building reflects its commitment to long-term growth in the sports sector.
The 2025-26 activities calendar also aligns with the broader goal of enhancing grassroots participation and infrastructure development. By scheduling events across various districts, DYSS intends to engage young athletes from diverse backgrounds, offering them opportunities to showcase their skills on a larger stage. This initiative is part of a concerted effort to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a sporting powerhouse, a vision championed by the regional government.
The release of the calendar has been met with optimism from sports enthusiasts and stakeholders, who see it as a step toward greater accountability and inclusivity. The emphasis on fairness in selections is expected to boost player morale and encourage wider participation, while the refresher courses signal a professional approach to sports administration. As the DYSS rolls out its plans, the coming year promises to be a transformative period for sports in the region.
With the 2025-26 Calendar of Activities now public, athletes, coaches, and officials are gearing up for a busy and competitive season. The DYSS’s proactive measures are set to pave the way for a new era of sporting excellence in Jammu and Kashmir, blending transparency, skill development, and community engagement.