Jammu, Feb 20 (PTI) BJP MLA Devyani Rana on Friday proposed introducing artificial intelligence (AI) in the selection of sports trials in Jammu and Kashmir to promote transparency and ensure that the most deserving athletes are selected.
Rana called for transparency in sports trials, reporting and live streaming, and said AI tools could significantly improve training and performance monitoring in sports.
Between December 2025 and January 2026, a controversy erupted in Jammu and Kashmir over alleged regional bias in sports, particularly U-14 cricket and football, with allegations that teams were heavily dominated by Kashmir-based players and Jammu-based talent was ignored.
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Addressing Parliament on the grant, the BJP lawmaker highlighted the scope of AI in sports. Referring to the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team’s maiden appearance in the Ranji Trophy final, he said there is a need to make the sports infrastructure in the region AI-enabled to enhance training and performance analysis.
The MLA requested the government to develop facilities such as an indoor stadium, volleyball court, soccer and cricket ground in Nagrota constituency. She argued that many local athletes represent the country at various levels and should receive infrastructure support, medical aid, training resources and scholarships.
Mr. Rana emphasized the need to advance the recognition of AI in Jammu and Kashmir based on core principles such as equity, accountability, national data sovereignty, accessibility and effectiveness, noting that AI must serve public welfare and benefit all sections of society.
“As the country is rapidly contributing to the use and development of AI, Jammu and Kashmir needs to keep pace and prepare its youth for AI-driven industrialization and applications,” she said.
Rana stressed that institutions like Government Engineering College (GCET) in Nagrota constituency need to expand AI-related skills and subjects so that students can develop AI applications and build a career in this field.
He also called for a review of ongoing and proposed IT projects in the Union Territory to incorporate AI components and ensure that the projects are not rendered obsolete by rapidly changing technology.
“AI has the potential to make health care and education more affordable and accessible, and AI upskilling will soon become essential to employment opportunities,” Rana said.
Additionally, he highlighted the importance of improving transportation and last-mile connectivity while integrating AI across various sectors. She pointed out that several areas in the constituency lack adequate transport services, including Sopka, Doomi Marjari, TRT Nagrota, Gehari, Dhanu Baghani, Aughol, Qatar Batar and Dumni Seri panchayats.
Mr. Rana proposed installing Automated Transport Systems (ATS) in all constituencies and introducing an app-based system to inform commuters of bus arrival times, which would reduce delays and save time.
Highlighting India’s progress in AI, Rana said indigenous large-scale language models such as Sarvam are superior by global standards. He pointed out that while companies like OpenAI have raised around $11 billion in funding, comparable models are being developed in India at significantly lower costs.
He called on the government to prioritize AI and related applications and said empowering youth in this field will ensure Jammu and Kashmir makes a meaningful contribution to the evolving AI landscape. PTI AB AB MPL MPL
This report was auto-generated from PTI News Service. ThePrint assumes no responsibility for its content.
