SOPORE: The first North Kashmir Women’s Sports Festival concluded at Government Degree College (GDC) for Women, Sopore, on Wednesday, bringing to a close a three-day sporting event that saw participation from more than 900 athletes representing 14 degree colleges and five higher secondary schools across North Kashmir.
The festival, one of the largest inter-institutional sporting events organised in the region, was sponsored by Lazzat Spices Sopore and featured competitions in multiple disciplines aimed at promoting sports participation among young women.
The event had commenced on October 5 and was inaugurated by Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma, along with Secretary Higher Education Shafqat Iqbal and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sopore Iftikhar Talib.
The valedictory function was presided over by MLA Sopore Irshad Rasool Kar. Principal GDC Women Sopore, Prof Subeena Chiloo, welcomed the participants and guests and presented an overview of the three-day festival. She highlighted the importance of promoting a sporting culture among girl students and said sports play a significant role in building confidence, leadership skills and physical and mental well-being.
Organising Secretary and Director Physical Education and Sports, Dr Tanveer Ahmad Bhat, presented a report on the festival, detailing participation figures, competitions and achievements recorded during the event. Staff Secretary Dr Murtaza Geelani was also present.
The final day featured the concluding matches in Kabaddi, Badminton and Table Tennis.
In the Kabaddi final, hosts GDC Women Sopore faced Government Degree College Handwara in a closely contested encounter. Handwara emerged victorious by a margin of nine points to claim the title.
The badminton championship went to Government Degree College Sumbal, which defeated GDC Women Baramulla 2-0 in the final.
In the Table Tennis doubles final, GDC Women Sopore defeated GDC Women Baramulla 2-0 to secure the title. In the singles category, GDC Women Baramulla emerged champions after registering a 2-0 victory over Government Degree College (Boys) Baramulla.
The concluding ceremony, moderated by Dr Aadil Mohi-ud-Din, Head of the Department of Kashmiri and Media Secretary of the college, was attended by a large gathering of athletes, teachers and academic administrators from across North Kashmir.
Addressing the participants, MLA Sopore Irshad Rasool Kar underlined the importance of sports in the overall development of youth and stressed the need for greater participation of students in sporting activities. He also appreciated the efforts of the college administration in organising the event.
Among those present were Principal GDC Dangiwacha Prof Imtiyaz Ahmad Parray, Principal GDC Sumbal Dr Shabeena Shawl, Principal GDC Hadipora Prof Tariq Ahmad Wani, Principal GDC Uri Prof Abdul Majeed Chalkoo, Principal GDC Bomai Prof Rehana Abdullah and Principal GDC Handwara Dr Aijaz A. Kant.
At the conclusion of the event, trophies were presented to winners and runners-up across various disciplines, while certificates were distributed among athletes, referees, technical officials and members of the organising committee.
Organisers said the festival provided a platform for young athletes from educational institutions across North Kashmir to showcase their talent, foster camaraderie and promote healthy competition. They added that the event highlighted the growing role of sports in higher education and set the stage for similar competitions in the future.
