L-G VK Saxena attends concluding session of Youth Month 2026, inaugurates ₹1.70-cr Futsal Ground at Spituk.

L-G VK Saxena attends concluding session of Youth Month 2026, inaugurates ₹1.70-cr Futsal Ground at Spituk.
“7 Districts–7 Sports” initiative brings sporting opportunities closer to youth across Ladakh.
Youth Month aimed at providing opportunities to participate, compete, learn and pursue excellence.
Leh, September 29: Lieutenant Governor Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena today attended the concluding session of Youth Month 2026, a month-long initiative dedicated to the youth of Ladakh, and inaugurated the Futsal Ground at Spituk, constructed at an estimated cost of ₹1.70 crore.
The Youth Month, observed from 29 August to 29 September 2026, was organised with the objective of providing young people across Ladakh greater opportunities to participate in sports and youth-oriented activities, compete, gain exposure, develop skills and discover their potential.
A major highlight of Youth Month was the “7 Districts–7 Sports” initiative, through which all seven districts of Ladakh were associated with dedicated sporting disciplines. Futsal was organised in Leh, Athletics in Kargil, Sand Volleyball in Nubra, Table Tennis in Zanskar, Volleyball in Drass, Archery in Sham and Cricket in Changthang.
The initiative was designed to take competitive sports beyond the major towns and ensure wider and more equitable opportunities for young people across the Union Territory.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said that the overwhelming participation and enthusiasm witnessed during the month had demonstrated the immense talent, determination and endurance of Ladakh’s youth. He emphasised that the objective of Youth Month was not merely to organise sporting events but to create an enabling environment where every young person gets an opportunity to participate, learn, gain experience and pursue excellence.
Highlighting the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Lieutenant Governor said that initiatives such as Khelo India and Fit India Movement have given fresh momentum to India’s sporting culture. He recalled the Prime Minister’s message, “Khelega India, Khilega India,” and said that the vision resonates strongly with Ladakh, where young people possess immense talent and sporting potential.
The Lieutenant Governor said that the initiative had demonstrated that talent exists in every corner of Ladakh and that the Administration’s responsibility is to provide the right platform, facilities, coaching, guidance and encouragement to help young people realise their potential. The programme also provided an inclusive platform for both male and female participants from all seven districts.
The Youth Month also provided an opportunity for Ladakh to host major sporting events, such as the National Pencak Silat Championship, which witnessed participation from 22 teams and more than 300 participants from different parts of the country, and the 5th UT Taekwondo Championship.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that sports are much more than competition and medals, as they inculcate discipline, teamwork, leadership, confidence and perseverance, while teaching young people to face both victory and defeat with courage.
Highlighting the New Ladakh Sports Policy 2026, the Lieutenant Governor said the policy provides a structured framework for promoting sporting talent and supporting sportspersons. A dedicated Sports Portal is also being developed to enable sportspersons to register and upload their details, helping the Administration maintain a comprehensive database and facilitate access to financial assistance and other support.
He said all these initiatives share a common objective of creating an enabling ecosystem where the youth of Ladakh can participate, compete, learn, gain experience and build a better future.
He emphasised that the conclusion of Youth Month should not be viewed as an end, but as the beginning of a sustained movement for youth participation, empowerment and excellence in Ladakh.
“Ladakh’s young people are our greatest strength. Their talent, determination and endurance can take the Union Territory to greater heights. Our objective must be to build a Fit, Healthy, Skilled, Disciplined and Sporting Ladakh where every young person gets the opportunity to discover talent, develop skills and pursue excellence,” said L-G Saxena.