SRINAGAR: While J&K Sports Council has embarked on a mission to make the Union Territory of J&K the sports hub of the country; simultaneously it is also making efforts to make society prudent by way of combating the social evils with sports.
In one such instance the sports activities held under the banner of My Youth My Pride in the disciplines of Tug of War and Athletics were conducted at Government Boys Higher Secondary Bishna today during which competitions for Discus throw, Shot put, 100- and 200-Meters sprint for boys and girls were organized.
The head of the institution, Rekha Rani presided over the function as the chief guest while her deputy was the guest of honor.
While addressing the participants, Rekha Rani said that it is imperative on the part of our young generation to propagate the benefits of sports among their friends and family enticing more and more youth towards sports to save them from the clutches of social evils such as drug menace.
Students from the school were fielded into various teams and in the final match of the Tug of War competition played between classes 11th and 10th of the host school, the former emerged as the winner with a score reading 2:1 in favor of the winning team.
The female staff of the school divided into senior and junior teams also participated in the Tug of War competition. The senior team sailed to the winning post getting better of their juniors with a score of 2:1.
Meanwhile in the sprint 100 meters event Nitin Kumar, Aryan, and Nikhil bagged the first three positions respectively, and in 200 meters sprint Abi, Javaid, and Gori Kumar bagged the first three places. In the competition of Discus Throw Sanjay Kumar, Shiv Kumar, and Arun Kumar clinched the first three positions getting better than their school fellows
Meanwhile, Arun Malhotra, the former International Footballer and member of the AIFF technical committee speaking to the desk said that the Zonal camp for selection to U-16 Boys national team will be held at both Srinagar and Jammu. While in Srinagar, the trials will be held at Synthetic Turf Football Stadium, TRC, and in Jammu, the Mini Stadium Parade Synthetic Ground has been finalized as the venue. “The trails will be held on 3rd and 4th June from 10 AM onwards,” Malhotra said.
Pertinently the U-16 national Team shall be participating in the SAFF Championship being held in Bhutan later this year.
Meanwhile, Secretary Sports Council Nuzhat Gull has directed the Sports Officers of both divisions to provide all the logistic support for the selection and put an effective monitoring system in place to ensure that trials are held in a fair and transparent manner.
Assuring that the selection of four talented footballers for the national team will be carried out purely on a merit basis and the list of selected players will be forwarded to Sarthak Mishra, Manager- State Development, AIFF immediately upon the completion of trials, Arun Malhotra said that team of selectors will leave no stone unturned to field the best players from J&K.
The services of former international star and Pro License Coach Ahmad Ishfaq has been pressed into the service for overseeing the selection procedure in the Kashmir division, he shall be assisted by Javed Sofi, a qualified football coach of the Sports Council. The Jammu division selection panel comprises Arun Jasrotia, the C-License Coach, and in this pursuit, Sports Council senior football coach Satpal Singh shall assist him.
The Football fever has also reached Kishtwar district which is hosting the prestigious CVPPL Football Cup for U-17 footballers. While wishing all the participating teams the best of the tourney, Secretary of Sports Council Nuzhat Gull said that she is rooting for all of them. Meanwhile, teams of Kashmir XI, Jammu XI, and Lone Star are also participating in the tournament.
