VIJAYPUR, JUNE 08: Former minister and National Conference State Secretary Surjeed Singh Slathia has said that wrestling continues to retain its sheen, especially in rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir, saying this sport offers opportunities to the wrestlers to shine at the national and international levels.
“Youth have been showing keen interest in traditional games but due to lack of avenues their talent generally remains confined to local areas only,” Slathia said while presenting trophies to the winner and runner up at the conclusion of the 7th Annual Mohammad Shab Ali Malang Peer Baba Wrestling Competition held at Ranjadi in Vijaypur Assembly Constituency.
While Slathia was Chief Guest at the event, Daljeet Singh, Sarpanch was Guest of Honour.
Slathia sought focused attention towards promotion of rural and traditional sports and hoped that adequate coaching and necessary wherewithal would be made available for achieving desired objectives. He said the Youth Welfare and Sports agency will have to play its crucial role in this regard.
Slathia told the sports enthusiasts that the display of Dhangal will serve as a source of inspiration for budding wrestlers. He hoped they will learn from the veterans and emulate their spirit. He said in this era of competition the youth have to be best in their chosen spheres.
The former minister expressed happiness over the enthusiasm of rural youth in traditional games like Kabadi and wrestling, saying these still retains the sheen of yesteryears. “We have to maintain this momentum by giving fillip to these activities in a big way,” he said and hoped that the rural sportsmen will prove their mettle and make big in various state and national level event.
Besides hundreds of sports lovers, prominent citizens of the area witnessed the wrestling competition. Prominent among those present included the Organiser of the event Titu Baba, Yashpal Kumar, Rashpal Singh, Prem Chand, Parveen Kumar, Dalip Singh and others.
Slathia complimented and congratulated the participants in the competition besides organizers for organizing the annual event.
