Kishtwar: The League of Classics—an Inter-District UT-level U-17 boys’ cricket tournament—kicked off at Sports Stadium Padder on Tuesday with a grand inaugural ceremony, bringing together young cricketers from across Jammu and Kashmir under the banner of the Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan.
Organised by the Department of Youth Services & Sports, the tournament is witnessing participation from 20 districts of the Union Territory, reflecting a strong spirit of unity, discipline and healthy competition among youth.
The inaugural function was attended by SDPO Vijay Bhagat as the chief guest, who formally declared the tournament open. Addressing the participants, he encouraged players to uphold sportsmanship, discipline and dedication, while using sports as a constructive means to stay away from social evils, particularly drug abuse. He also appreciated the department for organising such a large-scale event in the remote region of Padder.
The ceremony began with the National Anthem, followed by the administration of the Nasha Mukt pledge, where players, officials and spectators collectively reaffirmed their commitment to building a drug-free society.
The event is being held under the direction of Director General Youth Services & Sports J&K Anuradha Gupta, under the supervision of District Development Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma, and the guidance of DYSSO Jaffer Haider Sheikh.
Officials from civil and police departments, along with representatives from the Army, were present at the inaugural ceremony, adding to the significance of the occasion.
The opening match of the tournament was played between Jammu and Bandipora, drawing enthusiastic support from spectators and setting the tone for an exciting competition ahead, showcasing the talent and competitive spirit of the young players.
