Sports can help engage Ladakh’s youth, promote healthy lifestyles and keep them away from drugs and other social evils, Ladakh MP Haji Hanifa Jan said on Saturday, calling for greater opportunities to identify and nurture sporting talent in the Union Territory.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Ladakh Sports Festival 2026, National Sports Day and Youth Engagement Month at the Astro Turf Ground in Khel Gaon Kurbathang, Jan said the month-long programme aims to bring more young people into sports and provide them platforms to showcase their talent.
He said sporting events are being organised across all seven districts of Ladakh to ensure young athletes have access to opportunities closer to their homes.
“Ladakh has immense sporting talent, but lack of exposure and platforms has been a challenge,” Jan said, adding that efforts over the past four to five years have focused on improving sports facilities and expanding opportunities for youth.
He expressed hope that the proposed Sports Policy for Ladakh would further strengthen support for young athletes and help nurture sporting talent in the region.
The athletics competitions at Kurbathang saw participation from teams representing all seven districts.
In the boys’ 1500m, Punchok Tashi of Leh finished first in 4:38.92, followed by Sajad Hussain of Kargil in 5:07.77 and Jigmet Samba of Changthang in 5:32.56.
Nusrat Sakina of Kargil won the girls’ 1500m in 6:35.97. Stanzin Zanskit of Zanskar finished second in 6:47.91, while Sonam Lhodon of Changthang was third in 7:12.36.
In the boys’ 200m, Mudassir Ahmad of Leh took the top spot in 23.82 seconds, followed by Ishtiyaq Hussain of Kargil in 25.39 seconds and Shoaib Akhtar of Leh in 25.82 seconds.
Sonam Chuzing of Leh won the girls’ 200m in 30.64 seconds. Insha Fatima of Leh finished second in 31.26 seconds, while Rigzin Angmo of Sham secured third place in 35.09 seconds.
