After having a detailed and exclusive discussion with the Secretary Tourism and Culture, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, regarding promotion of adventure and motor sports in Jammu and Kashmir.
The foundation representatives headed by Mr. Vamcy Merla desired to join hands with Tourism Department of J&K in its initiatives towards promotion of Adventure Sports and Motor Sports in the UT supporting the local aspiring young talent in this regard.
Secretary asked the VM Sports Foundation to train the local youth of J&K in Motorsports activities, and organise off-road events for channelizing the untapped sport’s potential of talented youth in this field.
"We and Juvvadi Vijay Kumar from Maitri Estates have planned and initiated to select about 10 drivers from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, consisting of security forces and local youngsters through the talent hunt program will be an annual exercise. The training program shall be on a Rally spec Maruti Gypsy built by us and the same 10 Gypsy's will be provided to the selected drivers for the endurance and cross country rallies at free of cost along with full body gears, helmets etc." said Mr. Vamcy Merla from VM Sports Foundation. Further he added, we are planning to begin this program once the weather permits and the suitable place is identified and provided by the local authorities.
Secretary, while mentioning the role of VM Sports Foundation, appreciated their efforts in promoting motorsports in India and abroad. He asked the foundation to come up with a complete action plan for honing the skills of the youth of Union Territory in such spheres.
Dr Shah, while expressing his keenness to see the adventure activities happening at grassroots level, visualised the revival of sport’s culture in all parts of the UT. He shared his belief with the delegation about the power of sports being capable to invigorate the youth and also help Sports Tourism which in turn creates a strong economic chain to benefit the stakeholders and local population.
Secretary also assured concerted efforts for revival of popular Mughal Road Rally in J&K, a national off-road activity that has considerable following of motorsports fans from all over the country.
Ashwin Naik and Lokesh Gowda well known rallyist and Amrit Pal Singh Bali, sports writers, were also present in the meeting who briefed the Secretary about the working of motorsports and VM Sports Foundation.
Secretary assured all support from the Tourism department to the foundation, the gesture was well reciprocated by the representatives by assuring the Secretary to collaborate and associate at all levels for making the sports canvas of UT a vibrant hub of adventure and rally sports. (KDC)