R.S. Pura: Wrestler Shera Gujjar of Haryana won the main bout at a traditional Dangal held at Bana Singh Stadium in R.S. Pura on Wednesday, with Bhupinder Ajnala of Punjab finishing as runner-up.
The event, organised by the Dangal Committee, R.S. Pura, on the eve of Dussehra, featured more than 100 bouts and attracted wrestlers from different regions, along with a large gathering of spectators.
Shera Gujjar received a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, while Ajnala was awarded ₹80,000. A first maali carrying a prize of ₹1.80 lakh was also among the major attractions. Overall, cash prizes exceeding ₹6 lakh were distributed among participating wrestlers.
Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, Youth Services and Sports, and Science and Technology Satish Sharma attended the event and called for greater support for traditional wrestling and other indigenous sports.
Sharma said traditional sports were an important part of Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural heritage and helped promote discipline, physical fitness and sportsmanship among young people. He stressed the need to encourage indigenous sporting disciplines alongside modern sports and said grassroots competitions could help identify emerging talent.
He also said the government was committed to strengthening sports infrastructure and expanding opportunities for young athletes to compete at district, national and international levels.
The minister welcomed the participation of wrestlers from Haryana, Punjab and other regions, saying such events provided opportunities for cultural exchange and strengthened bonds among communities.
Former minister Sham Choudhary, former minister and Jatt Sabha president Manjeet Singh, and Senior Superintendent of Police and international wrestler Dushayant Sharma were among those present at the event.
