JAMMU: Preparations for the 9th National Master Games-2027 have begun in Jammu and Kashmir, with organisers expecting participation from more than 3,000 masters athletes from around 25 states during the four-day event scheduled for March next year.
The preparations were reviewed at a meeting in Jammu attended by office-bearers of the Super Master Games Federation and the Jammu and Kashmir Master Games Association.
The championship is scheduled to be held from March 13 to 16, 2027, with athletes expected to arrive on March 12. The opening ceremony will be held on March 13.
According to organisers, the event will be hosted by the Jammu and Kashmir Master Games Association, and the process of finalising venues and related infrastructure has already commenced.
Following the meeting, officials inspected several sports grounds and proposed venues to assess facilities and identify requirements for the smooth conduct of competitions.
Vinod Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of the Super Master Games Federation, directed officials to ensure adequate arrangements for athletes, including sports infrastructure, medical facilities and other essential services.
The championship will feature competitions in 20 disciplines, including athletics, handball, volleyball, basketball, badminton, archery, hockey, football, kabaddi, tennis-ball cricket, table tennis, powerlifting, weightlifting, swimming, yoga, dart games, shooting, judo, pickleball and arm wrestling.
Organisers said roller skating, chess, karate, lawn tennis, rope skipping, fencing, kho kho and cycling would also be introduced in this edition of the games.
They added that arrangements for accommodation, transport, food and medical assistance would be made for participants arriving from different parts of the country. Medal winners and runners-up in various events will be honoured during the championship.
Among those present at the meeting and venue inspection were Super Master Games Federation CEO Vinod Kumar, Director Administration Advocate Tejasvi Sharma, Director Sports Raj Kumar Rana, Director Bakshi Chand Jaswal, Kewal Ram, Manoj Kumar, Vikrant Koundal and National Media Head Pravinder Sharma.
The Jammu and Kashmir Master Games Association was represented by its president Ranjit Singh Chib, general secretary Neeti Kour, Somraj Gupta, Sanjay Puri, Nariender Mahajan, Rameshwar Singh Manhas, Kuljit Singh Jamwal and Mamta Bajaj.
