Sport is a multidimensional experience that has a significant impact on the lives of youth with a diversity of health, cultural, economic, and entertainment values. An estimated 41.3 million youth in India are pursuing under-graduate and post-graduate programmes in various universities and colleges. This number is substantial and exceeds the population of some European nations. Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education has increased from 24.1% in 2016-17 to 27.3% in 2020-21. One of the targets of NEP 2020 is to increase GER in higher education to 50% by 2035. These youth need to be engaged in meaningful activities during their education to provide enriching experiences and achieve excellence in life. Sport is one such activity that helps promote holistic growth of youth in colleges and universities.

In India, university-level sports activities are managed under the aegis of Association of Indian University’s Inter-University Sports Board. The university sports system is run through various verticals. The tournaments and competitions cover a wide range of sporting disciplines and are promoted through intra-mural and extra-mural sports competitions in universities and colleges. Inter-departmental competitions at universities and colleges are the first tier of sports competitions in higher education. These tournaments typically involve students from different departments within colleges and universities and compete against each other in various sporting disciplines. The primary purpose of inter-departmental sports tournaments is to promote physical activities and healthy lifestyles, and involve students in sporting activities to inculcate important values and life=lessons such as teamwork, leadership, respect and a sense of community within the institution. In addition, there are inter-college tournaments at the university level, inter-university (zonal and all-India inter-university) and World University Games at the international level, which is at par with other international sporting events.

University of Ladakh was established in 2019 and since then it has been providing various platforms for its students to explore their skills and talent. Sports and co-curricular activities are promoted through the Department of Students Welfare and Sports at University of Ladakh. Sports activities were initiated at the newly-established University of Ladakh during the pandemic. University of Ladakh and its constituent colleges collectively conducted various sports activities through innovative strategies such as weekend online fitness sessions, online sports quiz competition, sports skill competition and online yoga session for students of constituent colleges and campuses in Kargil and Leh. This ensured that students remained active and fit at their home during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Post-COVID-19, University of Ladakh and its constituent colleges started sports activities by framing a sports calendar that was in sync with the academic calendar of the university.

University of Ladakh and its constituent colleges have permanent staff such as Dean and College Directors of Physical Education and Sports with a technical qualification of a Master’s in Physical Education. They have the competence and experience to conduct different sports activities on the campuses in a professional and efficient manner.

In the context of Ladakh’s unique geographical and climatic condition, multipurpose indoor sports stadiums have been sanctioned by the Higher Education Department of UT Ladakh for the campuses and constituent colleges of University of Ladakh. This will ensure that sports activities can be conducted throughout the year. Once the multipurpose indoor stadiums are ready, a wide range of physical activities and sports will be conducted throughout the year on the university campuses and colleges.

University of Ladakh is currently conducting various sports competitions including athletics, football, volleyball, cricket, badminton, table tennis, and handball on their campuses, Furthermore, volleyball is very popular among university students. As a result, University of Ladakh has started the EJM Memorial Inter-College Volleyball Tournament in collaboration with EJM College, Leh. College teams from Zangskar, Kargil, Drass, Nubra, Leh, Khaltse and CIBS participate in this tournament. This competition has been recognised as an official inter-collegiate tournament within University of Ladakh. Two editions of EJM Memorial Inter-College Tournament have been conducted successfully so far. Efforts are being made to make this tournament one of the most important sports tournaments in Ladakh.

As a result of these initiatives, students of University of Ladakh and its constituent colleges have participated in various state and national level tournaments such as Santosh Trophy, national volleyball tournaments, national games, and different marathon races across India.

Participation in sports not only ensures that students are fit and healthy but also helps students access various social and personal benefits along with the acquisition of skills and values required for various sports. These values also have an impact on other aspects of their lives. Students who achieve various accolades in sports can take advantage of government incentives in recruitment processes including admission to professional and non-professional institutions.

Sports and physical education have evolved beyond physical activities and sports competitions. They are now considered as an academic discipline in universities and colleges. In this regard, University of Ladakh has started a two-year Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.Ed) Programme on both campuses along with a PhD programme. There are plans to start an M.P.Ed programme in the near future. Sports are emerging as a highly lucrative industry in India and there is a wide range of career opportunities in sports. Career opportunities in sports include Physical Education instructor, biomechanics, sports psychologist, sports journalist, coach, instructor, commentator, personal trainer, professional athlete, strength and conditioning expert, yoga instructor, sports promoter, sports entrepreneur, etc.

Youth are the backbone of a nation. It is very important to empower and nurture them with essential qualities and traits. The youth of Ladakh have immense talent in sports that needs to be fostered along with proper exposure to enable them to compete and excel at the state, national and international levels. The youth of Ladakh are pursuing various under-graduate and post-graduate programmes in colleges and campuses of the university. University of Ladakh is committed to providing a supportive environment along with opportunities and facilities to enable them to excel in sports at all levels and bring laurels to the university, Ladakh and the nation.