Jammu: The Hockey J&K UT Men’s Hockey Championship began on Tuesday at the KK Hakku Hockey Stadium in Jammu, marking the return of the tournament after a gap of three years. A total of 17 teams from across Jammu and Kashmir are participating in the championship.
The championship was inaugurated by Secretary, J&K Sports Council, Nuzhat Gul, who said Hockey J&K was making strong efforts to revive the sport in the Union Territory. She said sports play an important role in channelising the energy of youth in a positive direction, contributing to nation-building and helping in the development of disciplined citizens. She also assured full support from the J&K Sports Council for the promotion of hockey in the region.
Speaking on the occasion, General Secretary Hockey J&K Dr. Taran Singh said the association has been working to revitalise hockey in J&K since assuming office on May 31, 2025. He said Hockey J&K has organised three sub-junior-level tournaments and several other events, including district championships in different districts, particularly in Jammu.
He said J&K teams have started showing improved performances in national championships and are currently preparing for the upcoming sub-junior men’s and women’s national championships to be held at Rajgir and Ranchi.
Patron-in-Chief of Hockey J&K and President of the Tennikoit Federation of India, Rajive Sharma, presented the vote of thanks and pledged continued support for the development of hockey as part of broader efforts to promote sports in Jammu and Kashmir.
Three matches were played on the opening day of the championship. In the first match, Jammu North outclassed Bandipora 12-0. Jotveer Singh and captain Kirandeep Singh scored three goals each, while Mankiran and Gurpreet netted two goals each. Rahul and Deepak added one goal apiece.
In the second match, Anantnag defeated Rajouri 5-1. Harmeet scored the lone goal for Rajouri, while Dar Saini struck a hat-trick for Anantnag. Mbariz and Suzain scored one goal each.
In the third match, Jammu South defeated Srinagar 8-4. For Jammu South, Surinder Singh and Karandeep Singh scored three goals each, while Manjeet Singh added two goals. For Srinagar, Rohanpreet Singh scored twice, while Sheikh Salman and Varunpreet Singh scored one goal each.
Among those present on the occasion were Captain Murti Gupta, President of the J&K Lawn Tennis Association; Ravinder Singh, retired KAS and Chairman of the J&K Cycling Association; Dronacharya Kuldeep Handoo, DySP Incharge Sports JKP; B.S. Jaggi, General Secretary of the J&K Lawn Tennis Association; Ajay Sharma, General Secretary of the J&K Table Tennis Association; retired Divisional Sports Officer Satpal Singh; KK Hakku Stadium Manager Ajay Gupta; Green Field Manager Anil Sharma; Indoor Stadium Incharge Arshi Nad; businessman and former Hockey J&K Treasurer Ishan Sharma; Hockey J&K Treasurer Raviraj Singh; Vice President Manjit Singh; Vinod Singh, Ranvir Singh, Harjit Singh from Kashmir Hockey, Secretary Tejinder Singh, Vice President Jaswinder Kour, P.P. Singh, veteran hockey player Janak Singh, hockey coach Jagjit Singh and parents of the players.
Tomorrow’s fixtures are as follows:
Kupwara vs Ganderbal at 10:30 am, Jammu West vs Shopian at 12 noon, and Budgam vs Kathua at 2:30 pm.
