Anantnag: In a bid to promote sports among youth and advance the objective of a drug-free society under the Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Dr Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, on Tuesday inaugurated the South Kashmir Cricket Cup at the Sports Stadium, Bijbehara.
The Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR), Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and Tehsildar Bijbehara, along with renowned cricketer Parvez Rasool and other officials. Local cricket stars, besides a large number of youth and spectators, were present during the inaugural ceremony.
The tournament is being organised by the District Administration in collaboration with local industries and cricket associations. A total of 48 teams are participating in the competition. The inaugural match was played between JCC Tahab and The Elite Shamsipora, marking the beginning of a major sporting initiative in South Kashmir.
On the occasion, Dr. Bhat administered the Nasha Mukt pledge to the gathering and urged people to actively contribute towards eliminating the menace of drug abuse from society.
He said the initiative is aimed at engaging youth in positive activities and channelising their energy in a meaningful and constructive manner.
Interacting with players and participants, the Deputy Commissioner highlighted the importance of sports in promoting discipline, teamwork, competitive spirit and resilience, particularly among young people.
He said Anantnag is fortunate to have well-known sports personalities who can mentor and guide the youth to become not only better athletes but also responsible citizens.
Advising the participants to stay away from drugs, Dr. Bhat urged them to become role models and ambassadors of the Nasha Mukt J&K campaign and spread awareness against substance abuse.
Reiterating that the fight against the drug menace requires collective efforts, he stressed the need for community participation, especially the involvement of youth, to make the campaign successful.
“Sports and games have immense potential to inculcate values such as hard work, discipline, leadership, perseverance and patience, ultimately leading to a healthy and drug-free society,” he said.
He called upon the youth to make full use of such opportunities and develop into better athletes and responsible citizens while learning discipline and sportsmanship from local sports stars.
Highlighting the broader objectives of the Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan, Dr. Bhat said a 100-day intensive campaign has been launched to create mass awareness about the ill effects of drug abuse and to engage youth in sports and other constructive activities.
He said the administration has adopted a multi-pronged strategy, with special focus on sensitising vulnerable groups so that the objective of a healthy and drug-free district, Union Territory and country can be achieved.
Cautioning about the harmful effects of drug abuse, the Deputy Commissioner said addiction not only destroys the life and career of an individual but also has devastating consequences for the social and moral fabric of families and society.
“It is the moral and civic responsibility of every citizen to contribute towards a drug-free society in one’s personal, official and professional capacity,” he said.
Dr. Bhat also assured that the district administration remains committed to providing better sports infrastructure and other necessary facilities to strengthen the sports ecosystem and ensure the smooth conduct of such events in the district.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students and sports enthusiasts, who appreciated the administration’s efforts to promote a culture of sports and social responsibility.
Participants also pledged to make full use of such platforms to amplify the message of the Nasha Mukt J&K campaign and strive to become better athletes and responsible citizens.
