Srinagar, June 12 -- Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said that investments in sports infrastructure, grassroots competitions, and community engagement have successfully enhanced the popularity of sports and expressed hope that J&K would emerge as a cradle of world-class hockey talent. Sinha's remarks came at the closing ceremony of the ALFA HOCKEY Inter-School Tournament-2026 at the synthetic hockey astro-turf at Polo Ground here. Students from 32 schools across various districts in Kashmir participated in the event. "It is our aim to see more schools and more young players take up hockey in the coming years and establish J&K as a cradle for world-class hockey talent. We are building talent pipeline in J&K that will ensure a player's journey from the school level to the regional level, and national stage," he said. Government is building talent pipeline in the Union Territory that will ensure a player's journey from the school level to the regional level, and national stage, said Sinha while addressing the gathering. "It is our aim to see more schools and more young players take up hockey in the coming years and establish Jammu Kashmir as a cradle for world-class hockey talent. We are building talent pipeline in J&K that will ensure a player's journey from the school level to the regional level, and national stage," he said. He appreciated the collaborative efforts of J&K sports council, Badal Hockey Club and Hockey Jammu & Kashmir for providing a powerful platform, celebrating the spirit and passion of young athletes across the region. "This tournament aimed for something beyond the scoreboard. It provided a transformative stage for our talented children to realise their true athletic potential," he said, adding that over the last few years, J&K has witnessed a remarkable transformation in hockey....