Jammu, 20 April 2024 – STAIRS Foundation, a national sports promotion
organisation dedicated to fostering youth development through sports,
announced the successful inauguration of its Jammu & Kashmir chapter on April
20, 2024. The grand opening ceremony, held at the Press Club of Jammu, was
attended by many sports enthusiasts and dignitaries. Shri Siddhartha Upadhyay,
President of STAIRS Foundation, delivered a significant address highlighting the
organisation’s commitment to promoting sports among young people in the
region.
The newly launched chapter aims to provide a platform for young sports
enthusiasts to hone their skills and showcase their talents. It will focus on
introducing them to various sports and providing them with the necessary
infrastructure and training support to help them achieve their full potential. The
chapter’s launch has been greeted with much enthusiasm and is expected to
impact the overall sports development in the region positively.
This strategic expansion into Jammu and Kashmir aligns with STAIRS’
acclaimed “One India, One Goal” program, which aims to ensure every child can
engage in sports and potentially advance to national levels. The focus in Jammu
and Kashmir will be on implementing the proprietary Funnel Model of Sports
Development, designed to streamline identifying and nurturing young sporting
talents from grassroots to national prominence.
Jammu & Kashmir boasts a significant educational infrastructure with over
28,000 schools and 27.18 lakh students, representing a considerable
demographic dividend. STAIRS Foundation is set to engage and harness this
potential to foster social good, ensuring the region’s abundant youthful energy
contributes to positive community growth and development.
During his visit, Shri Siddhartha Upadhyay will outline the specifics of deploying
this model in the region, which includes initiating coordinator, schools, colleges,
and stakeholder onboarding processes. The goal is to achieve complete
integration with local press, associations, and government departments to
establish a robust environment for sports development.
The event will also feature the appointment of Mr. Gulshan Rattan as the Chief of
Sports Coordinators – Schools for Jammu & Kashmir. His role will be
instrumental in partnering with educational institutions to promote widespread
participation in sports across the union territory.
Shri Siddhartha Upadhyay stated, “With our foundation’s recognition as a
National Sports Promotion Organisation, we are thrilled to extend our reach to
Jammu & Kashmir. We must provide every child here with the means to play and
excel in sports. Through the collective efforts of local communities and
stakeholders, we are poised to uncover and foster the next generation of
regional champions.”
The launch event will discuss strategic plans and aim to foster collaborations
with local entities to ensure a successful rollout of sports programs. STAIRS
Foundation’s commitment to sports education and holistic development has
significantly impacted India. The new chapter in Jammu & Kashmir is expected
to further this legacy by creating new opportunities for youth in the union
territory.
About STAIRS Foundation:
The Society for Transformation, Inclusion and Recognition through Sports
(STAIRS) is a National Sports Promotion Organisation at the forefront of
grassroots sports and youth development. Since its establishment in 2000,
STAIRS has been recognised with the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar by the
Hon’ble President of India for identifying and nurturing young talent nationwide.
Committed to empowering India’s youth through the transformative power of
sports, STAIRS integrates sports with education, health, and skill development
programs, with the core belief centred on ensuring that every child has the
opportunity to play, learn, and thrive. Our goal is to unleash the boundless
potential of children across India.
