Dinesh Agarwal
Shimla: BJP state media coordinator Karn Nanda, attending a football sports competition organised by SEVI Sansthan in Summer Hill as the chief guest, called for a collective resolve to fight the menace of drug abuse in Himachal Pradesh. He said drugs, especially synthetic substances, have emerged as a major challenge for today’s youth, and sports can play a decisive role in defeating this threat.
Nanda said sports connect young people with life in a meaningful way, teaching them patience, team spirit and the value of a healthy mind, body and soul. He noted that football, also known as soccer, is the world’s most popular sport, with an estimated 250 million players across more than 150 countries.
Emphasising youth welfare and sports development, Nanda said participation in sports strengthens physical fitness and also plays a crucial role in mental health, emotional regulation and cognitive growth. Sports help young people build essential life skills such as discipline, teamwork, leadership, decision-making and conflict management. They also connect youth with the mainstream, promote social welfare, and foster national pride and unity.
Nanda stressed the need for concrete ground-level work to promote football and other sports. He said Shimla city, the district, and the state require more playgrounds and proper infrastructure to host such events, adding that the current government must address this critical requirement. A large, well-equipped sports field, he said, is a significant need and a long-standing demand of the region’s youth.
Highlighting the importance of integrity in sports, he underlined the need for a multi-pronged approach to promote clean sports and ensure fairness in the sporting ecosystem. He also suggested launching a public awareness campaign on anti-doping in collaboration with Khelo India to educate young athletes and strengthen ethical sporting practices.