Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police will organise 240 district-level sports events in 2026 to engage young people in constructive activities and help steer them away from drug abuse, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat, a 1992-batch IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre, said on Thursday.
Addressing the concluding ceremony of Jashn-e-Dal 2026 at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, Prabhat said sports remained an important part of the police’s civic action and public outreach programmes.
The number of planned events marks an increase from the 144 sporting events organised last year. The DGP said sustained engagement with young people was important for promoting discipline, teamwork and social cohesion while addressing challenges such as drug abuse and narco-terrorism.
Sports and Policing Share Discipline and Teamwork, Says DGP
Drawing parallels between sports and policing, Prabhat said both required discipline, coordination, teamwork and the ability to perform under pressure.
Read Also: Protecting Youth from Drugs Requires Collective Action: J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat
“Sports and policing both demand utmost discipline, coordination, a humongous amount of teamwork, ability to perform under pressure, courage to face uncertainty and, most importantly, to fight for your goals and perform beyond your physical and mental boundaries,” he said.
He added that sports provided young people with opportunities to develop resilience, overcome challenges and work towards shared goals.
The DGP also praised the participation of young people in police-led sporting initiatives, saying the department would continue to expand opportunities for them.
240 Sports Events Planned Across Districts
The police department is expanding its sporting activities as part of its wider civic action programme, which seeks to strengthen engagement between the force and local communities.
Key figures highlighted by the DGP include:
- 240 sports events: Planned at the district level in 2026.
- 144 sports events: Conducted during the previous year.
- 6,000-plus participants: Took part in the recently held Run for Unity.
- 2,000 children: Targeted for Bharat Darshan tours this year.
- 1,789 children: Sent on Bharat Darshan tours last year.
The initiatives combine sporting activities with exposure visits and other programmes intended to provide young people with constructive opportunities beyond their immediate surroundings.
Youth Engagement Linked to Anti-Drug Campaign
Prabhat said engaging young people through sports was an important part of efforts to address drug abuse and strengthen communities against criminal networks.
He referred to the government-backed Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, emphasising the need for sustained action to protect young people from substance abuse.
“By channelising the energy of the youth, hopefully, one day we will be able to look back with satisfaction that the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan has actually borne fruit,” he said.
The DGP also highlighted the challenge posed by narco-terror networks and said police outreach initiatives were intended to build stronger community participation alongside law-enforcement efforts.
Run for Unity Draws More Than 6,000 Participants
Highlighting the public response to police-led sporting activities, Prabhat said more than 6,000 people had participated in the recently organised Run for Unity.
The event was among the initiatives cited by the DGP as an example of how sports can bring together young people and other members of the public.
He said channelling youth energy into constructive activities was important for social well-being and the long-term prosperity of society.
Bharat Darshan Tours to Cover 2,000 Children
The DGP also highlighted the police’s Bharat Darshan initiative, under which children are taken on educational and exposure tours.
According to the figures shared by Prabhat, 1,789 children participated in the programme last year, while the target for 2026 has been set at 2,000.
The initiative forms part of the police’s broader outreach efforts aimed at providing children and young people with opportunities to learn about places and experiences beyond their home districts.
J&K Police Athletes Continue to Win Medals
Prabhat also highlighted the achievements of the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Central Sports Team, which is part of the J&K Armed Police.
He said police athletes had continued to win medals and bring recognition to the Union Territory at national and international sporting events.
The DGP credited police officers and personnel with organising competitions and other activities that encourage participation among young people.
Concluding his remarks, he reaffirmed the department’s commitment to expanding its sports initiatives.
“To our distinguished guests, including the civilians and the sports persons who are here today, let me assure you J&K Police will continue with its endeavour in terms of promoting sports more and more,” he said.
The proposed expansion to 240 district-level events places sports at the centre of the police’s youth outreach efforts, alongside programmes focused on drug prevention, community engagement and public participation.
Read Also: Running for Unity, Standing for Peace: DGP Nalin Prabhat Praises J&K Youth
