DYS&S-69th National School Games-Kashmir: High-scoring clashes mark day 3, J&K advances to next stage

Srinagar, Oct 8: In the ongoing 69th National School Games football tournament, host team Jammu and Kashmir stormed into the next stage, defeating Punjab 3–1 at the Rugby Ground in Srinagar, as the event entered its third day with a series of high-scoring and closely fought matches across multiple venues.

As per a statement issued on Wednesday, the third day of the 69th National School Games Football (U/19 Boys) witnessed another exciting display of skill, determination, and sportsmanship across different venues in Srinagar, with several high-scoring and closely fought encounters captivating spectators and football lovers alike.

At the TRC Ground, Kerala outplayed Uttarakhand with a confident 2–0 victory, with Jaleel and Sheril emerging as the goal scorers.

In another match at the same venue, the Central Board of School Education registered one of the most dominant wins of the tournament by defeating Puducherry 7–0, led by a brilliant hat-trick from Keith, while Ujjwal, Jagran, Nandan, and Prahlad added a goal each to the scoreboard. Maharashtra, too, showcased attacking brilliance, overpowering Odisha 6–2 in an entertaining clash that saw Saad score a superb hat-trick, supported by Akash, Mayur, and Pritham, while Montu Nag and Shankra netted one goal each for Odisha.

Meanwhile, at the Kashmir University Ground, Manipur displayed exceptional form by defeating Telangana 6–0, with Hitler Singh standing out as the top performer of the match.

Andhra Pradesh continued their winning run with a clinical performance against the DAV College Management Committee, ensuring another crucial victory in the group stage by 4-0, while in another interesting battle, Vidya Bharti locked their horns against Uttar Pradesh, but the match ended in a tie as no team was able to hit the goal.

At the Green Valley Ground, Meghalaya stunned Tamil Nadu with a remarkable 9-0 goal win, thanks to an extraordinary performance by Kyrmens Khem, while the International Board Schools Sports Organisation edged past Gujarat in a closely contested encounter by 2-1, demonstrating impressive composure under pressure.

At the rugby ground, host team Jammu and Kashmir defeated Punjab by 3-1. In another battle, Madhya Pradesh defeated Chandigarh by 2-0, while Chhattisgarh won another battle by 2-0 after defeating Rajasthan.

With every passing day, the tournament continues to gain momentum, showcasing the future stars of Indian football and the growing sporting culture in Jammu & Kashmir. The Department of Youth Services & Sports, J&K, under the dynamic leadership of its officers, has ensured smooth conduct and professional management of matches, including live streaming, social media coverage, and timely publicity updates. These efforts have significantly enhanced the visibility of the event across the country, bringing national attention to J&K’s commitment towards youth sports development.