Says JK has undergone huge transformation in development of Sports
Srinagar: The 52nd Senior National Men’s Handball Championship organized by J&K Sports Council in collaboration with J&K Handball Association under the aegis of Handball Association of India concluded in Sher-i Kashmir Indoor Stadium Srinagar on Tuesday.
The event witnessed massive participation with as many as thirty-two teams from states, union territories, and sports boards competing in the event.
Around seven hundred participants including fifty coaches and seventy referees were part of the championship.
The Haryana team put up an exemplary show all through the championship and bagged the gold medal while Railways settled for the silver medal. The hosts J&K and Gujrat bagged the bronze medal.
Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary presided over the closing ceremony as the chief guest. He was flanked by Secretary Youth Services and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez; Secretary Sports Council, Nuzhat Gull; Dr. Zaffar Iqbal, Chief Accounts Officer; Muzaffar Hussain Wani, Divisional Sports Officer; besides other officials from various departments and Sports Council.
Dr Mehta who was Chief Guest on the ocassion remarked that the UT has undergone a transformation in Sports culture and infrastructure during the last few years.
He said that it is heartening to see that half of the population of Jammu and Kashmir is now actively involved with sports. He remarked that sports plays critical role in personality development besides shaping one’s career as well. He also enjoined upon the players and sports loving persons to encourage people from all walks of life to participate in sports which is necessary to create positivity in life.
Dr Mehta further remarked that sports has been among the top priorities of the administration and the UT has now become the powerhouse of sporting talent.
He said that the government has taken a number of steps to nurture the talent of budding sportspersons of J&K, like ensuring at least one playfield in every Panchayat, establishing Youth Clubs and organising a number of sporting activities round the year.
Maintaining that J&K is witnessing a new revolution in Sports sector, CS said that youth of Jammu and Kashmir have immense sporting potential with many players from the UT representing the country in different arenas. He said that the UT is as equipped as other parts of country and has potential to produce world-class sportspersons.
He also interacted with the participating teams and appreciated them for playing in the spirit of the game. He also encouraged the visiting teams visit J&K which is now provided with best sports infrastructure for promoting and nurturing talent.
The Secretary YSS, Sarmad Hafeez while interacting with the media said that we are committed to an augmentation of sports infrastructure, ensuring that it reflects in the massive sports activities happening both day and night.
Hafeez said that sixty stadiums have been provided with lighting systems for round-the-clock sports activities. “The government is aiming at providing a state-of-the-art facility that caters to the needs of athletes, enabling them to train, compete, and excel at any hour”, said Sarmad Hafeez.
“By investing in world-class venues and lighting systems, we guarantee that sports enthusiasts can enjoy their passion, push their limits, and embrace the thrill of the game, whenever they choose and it is through this unwavering commitment that we foster a vibrant and inclusive sports culture for all,” Sarmad Hafeez concluded.
The Secretary of Sports Council, Nuzhat Gull said that we are proud to announce our commitment to organizing national championships that showcase the finest athletic talent across our great nation.
“These championships serve as a platform for athletes to compete at the highest level, pushing their physical and mental boundaries, and inspiring the next generation of sports enthusiasts,” Gull said.
Meanwhile, the 22nd J&K UT Squash Championship 2023 which was organized by J&K Squash Rackets Association in collaboration with Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council concluded in Squash Complex, Gindun Sports Complex Rajbagh Srinagar on Tuesday.
The Secretary of J&K Sports Council, Nuzhat Gull presided over the function as the chief guest.
More than 438 players from different registered clubs and districts of Srinagar, Kupwara, Bandipora, Budgam, Udhampur, Ganderbal, Baramulla, Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam & Jammu participated in the five-day long championship.
The players from eleven districts participated in U-11 boys, U-13 boys and girls, U-15 boys and girls, U-17 boys and girls, U-19 boys and girls, youth U-21 boys, senior men, men over 35, and women categories.-KNB