Inter-zonal district-level competitions begin across Jammu district

Srinagar, May 21: The Department of Youth Services and Sports (YSS) J&K Wednesday launched the Inter-Zonal District Level Competitions for under-14 boys and girls at various premier venues, including MA Stadium, Green Field Gandhi Nagar, KK Hakku Stadium, and Dogra Ground Shastri Nagar. The initiative aims to identify and promote young sporting talent within Jammu district.

At MA Stadium, Green Field Gandhi Nagar, competitions in basketball, kho-kho, volleyball, and kabaddi are underway, showcasing the agility, teamwork, and competitive spirit of young athletes. Simultaneously, KK Hakku Stadium, Dogra Ground Shastri Nagar, is hosting inter-school district-level competitions for U/14 and U/17 boys and girls in handball and hockey, further broadening the platform for budding sportspersons.

The event is being organised under the guidance of Director General, Department of Youth Services and Sports J&K, Rajinder Singh Tara, whose vision for youth empowerment through sports has been instrumental in driving such initiatives.

Ensuring seamless execution, Zonal Physical Education Officers (ZPEOs) have been entrusted with key responsibilities. Joginder Sharma (ZPEO Miran Sahib), Ram Murti (ZPEO Gandhi Nagar), Jatinder Kour (ZPEO Satwari), Harvinder Kour (ZPEO Jammu), and Harvinder Singh Sodi have been appointed as overall in-charges, working tirelessly to guarantee the smooth conduct of the competitions.

The opening day witnessed enthusiastic participation from approximately 600 students representing various government and private schools across District Jammu, reflecting the growing interest and talent in sports at the grassroots level. The young athletes displayed remarkable skill and sportsmanship, setting the tone for an exciting series of matches ahead.

The competitions are being expertly conducted by a team of seasoned professionals from the department, including Bandana Sharma, Jasdev Singh, Ravinder Singh, Hardev Singh, Karanjit Singh, Mandeep Singh, Anil Dogra, Gourav Sharma, Vaneet Pangotra, Mosmi Verma, and Rajesh Bandral, along with other technical officials, ensuring fair play and adherence to sporting standards.

The inaugural day concluded with thrilling finals in Kabaddi and Kho-Kho, where young athletes showcased exceptional talent and determination.

In the U/14 Boys Kabaddi final, Zone Miran Sahib emerged victorious against Zone Gandhi Nagar with a dominant score of 39-14, displaying superior strategy and agility. The U/14 Girls Kabaddi final saw Zone Gandhi Nagar triumph over Zone Miran Sahib with a score of 29-18, marking a spirited performance by both teams.

The Kho-Kho competitions were equally intense. In the U-14 Girls category, Zone Miran Sahib secured a hard-fought win against Zone Satwari with a score of 6-3, while in the U-14 Boys final, Zone Miran Sahib continued their winning streak by defeating Zone Gandhi Nagar 5-3in a closely contested match.

The event will continue over the coming days, with more matches scheduled in basketball, volleyball, handball, and hockey, promising further displays of skill, endurance, and teamwork.