SRINAGAR | OCTOBER 26, 2026 : Jammu and Kashmir has the potential to emerge as a powerhouse of long-distance running, producing athletes capable of winning medals at national and international competitions, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has said.
Addressing the award ceremony of the third Kashmir Marathon in Srinagar, the LG called for sustained professional training, expert mentorship and institutional support to help promising local runners transform their talent into competitive success.
His message was clear: the achievements of local athletes must not end with a medal ceremony. Instead, the Kashmir Marathon should become the starting point of a long-term journey towards sporting excellence.
🏅 PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP FOR LOCAL WINNERS
The Lieutenant Governor urged the Tourism Department, Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council and private institutions to work together to provide professional trainers, structured coaching and mentorship to local marathon winners.
He said the medals won by young athletes should mark the beginning of new opportunities, enabling them to compete at national and international tournaments.
According to Sinha, consistent guidance and institutional backing could help talented runners from the Union Territory realise their full potential.
🌄 OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG ATHLETES FROM REMOTE AREAS
Welcoming the introduction of a separate category for runners from Jammu and Kashmir, the LG highlighted the importance of making sporting opportunities accessible to local talent.
He observed that talent exists across the country, but access to professional training and competitive platforms is not always equal.
The Kashmir Marathon, he said, provides an important platform for young people, including those from remote parts of the Union Territory, to demonstrate their abilities and gain recognition.
🏃 EVERY FINISHER DESERVES RECOGNITION
Congratulating the winners, Sinha said every medal reflects years of dedication, perseverance and determination.
He also praised participants who completed the demanding race despite physical exhaustion, emphasising that personal achievement and the determination to finish deserve recognition alongside podium finishes.
His remarks highlighted the wider spirit of marathon running: discipline, resilience, endurance and the courage to push beyond personal limits.
🌍 KASHMIR MARATHON STRENGTHENS SRINAGAR’S SPORTING PROFILE
The LG said the Kashmir Marathon was gaining recognition among international runners and helping establish Srinagar as a destination for major long-distance running events.
Participants travelling from different parts of India and abroad could also become ambassadors for Jammu and Kashmir by sharing their experiences of the region’s hospitality, culture and natural beauty.
The event therefore offers opportunities not only for sporting development but also for tourism promotion and wider engagement with the region.
❤️ FITNESS MESSAGE: MAKE WALKING PART OF DAILY LIFE
Emphasising the importance of physical activity, Sinha said marathons could inspire people to adopt healthier lifestyles and raise awareness about lifestyle-related diseases.
He pointed to the participation of both young runners and people aged above 50 as an example of how physical activity can encourage people across generations to improve their fitness.
His message to the public was simple: even incorporating a daily walk into one’s routine can be a meaningful first step towards a healthier life.
🇮🇳 DISCIPLINE, DETERMINATION AND A DEVELOPED INDIA
The Lieutenant Governor urged young people to take responsibility for shaping their future through discipline, determination and collective effort.
He linked the development of sporting talent with the broader aspirations of building a developed India and a self-reliant Jammu and Kashmir.
Sinha also commended the Jammu and Kashmir Police and security forces for their contribution towards creating an environment conducive to hosting major international sporting events over the past six years.
🔥 THE BIGGER PICTURE
The message emerging from the third Kashmir Marathon is that local sporting success requires more than individual talent. Professional coaching, sustained investment, accessible facilities and opportunities to compete at higher levels are essential to building a strong athletic ecosystem.
With the right support, Jammu and Kashmir’s emerging runners could have greater opportunities to represent the region and the country on national and international platforms.
THE VISION: Turn local marathon medals into the first milestones of future champions — and transform Kashmir’s growing sporting profile into a lasting legacy of fitness, opportunity and excellence.
