Sanctorum Institute opens football astro-turf in Sopore to promote sports among youth

Suhail Khan 

---

Sopore, Nov 9: In an effort to strengthen sports infrastructure and encourage students to pursue interests beyond academics, Sanctorum Institute in Sopore has inaugurated a football astro-turf, providing young people with access to a modern sporting facility.

The initiative comes at a time when concerns over drug abuse and other social challenges confronting the younger generation have brought renewed focus on the need to engage children in constructive activities.

The facility was inaugurated by Sopore MLA Irshad Rasool Kar in the presence of senior police and civil administration officials, educationists, sports enthusiasts, parents and prominent citizens.

Addressing the gathering, Joint Director North Kashmir Hakeem Tanvir Ahmad, who attended as the guest of honour, described the initiative as timely and said educational institutions had an important role in creating opportunities for young people beyond academics.

Referring to the growing concerns over drug abuse, Hakeem Tanvir emphasised that sports could provide young people with a positive environment and help channel their energy towards productive pursuits.

However, he said the responsibility of shaping children’s lives could not rest with institutions alone, underlining the importance of parenting and parental involvement.

“Parenting should be prioritised. Children are no different from what we were during our childhood. What matters is how we guide them and provide them with the right environment,” he said.

Welcoming the introduction of evening sporting activities, Hakeem Tanvir said such initiatives could boost students’ morale and encourage greater participation in sports.

Speaking at the event, MLA Kar highlighted Sopore’s emergence as an educational hub in north Kashmir, saying more than 20,000 students come to the constituency every day to pursue education.

“It is a matter of pride for me that more than 20,000 children come to my constituency every day to study and receive education,” he said.

The MLA said educational institutions in the area were expanding and producing encouraging results, with students competing in national-level events and representing the region.

Expressing confidence in the potential of local talent, he said he hoped students from the area would eventually represent the country at national and international platforms.

For Sanctorum Institute, the astro-turf is part of an effort to address the shortage of dedicated sporting facilities and ensure students have opportunities to remain physically active after school hours.

Speaking to Kashmir Convener, institute chairman Shakir Ashraf said the objective is to provide students with a platform where they could balance academics with sporting activities.

“Our motive is to keep students engaged in sports and provide them with a platform where they can focus equally on their studies and sporting interests, particularly during evening hours, when such facilities are lacking,” he said.

Shakir said the institution intended to expand its activities through the Sanctorum Sports Club, adding that more initiatives would be introduced to promote sports and support the younger generation across the district.

The inauguration was attended by Additional SP Sopore Sarfaraz Bashir, SDPO Mohammad Rafi, former Municipal Council president Masrat Rasool, SRM Welkin chairman Haji Anayatullah Hajni, vice-chairperson Baseema Aijaz, Tehsildar Sopore Sheikh Tariq, sports activist Javid Ahmad Bhat, ADC to the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Sheikh Adil, Congress leader Sheikh Amir, Varmul Post Editor-in-Chief Muneeb-ul-Haq, Kashmir Square Editor-in-Chief Syed Rizwan Geelani, Sopore Traders Association president Haji Ashraf Ahmad Ganie and ARTO Sopore Mudasir Ahmad, besides parents and senior citizens.