J&K shines in Thang Ta, finishes runners-up in 68th National School Games

Srinagar, Apr 13: In a major boost to its rising sports profile, Jammu and Kashmir’s Thang Ta contingent clinched three medals — including a gold — at the 68th National School Games held in Imphal, Manipur, helping J&K secure the runners-up spot in the prestigious event.

As per a statement issued on Sunday, Hammad Bashir of District Pulwama bagged a gold medal, while Ajaz Ahmad Sofi of District Kupwara and Murieza Iqbal Lone of District Pulwama claimed bronze medals.

Commissioner Secretary for Youth Services and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez, and Director General for Youth Services and Sports, Rajinder Singh Tara, congratulated the medal winners and the support staff for this brilliant achievement.

They said the young talent of Jammu and Kashmir has made us proud, adding the Department of Youth Services and Sports is inching closer to making J&K a sporting hub.

"The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which is leaving no stone unturned in carving a space on the country's sports map, is all set to win a record haul of medals in the National School Games (NSG) this season, as a total of 52 medals have already been clinched by our athletes in various sports disciplines, while around 30 medals are expected to be secured in the remaining events, which include the medal-winning sports disciplines like roller skating, Thang-ta, football and Gatka, etc," said Tara.

He further said that 1800 athletes drawn from various districts of the Union Territory have already taken part in the National School Games (NSG) so far this season, while 400 more athletes are expected to rub their shoulders with their counterparts from the other states/UTs in various disciplines of sports at the national scene.

"Jammu and Kashmir has so far won 16 medals in fencing with 3 gold, 5 silver and 8 Bronze, 15 medals in wushu with 5 gold, 6 silver and 4 Bronze, 7 medals in judo with 4 silver and 3 bronze; 4 medals in taekwondo with 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze; 3 medals in soft tennis with 1 silver and 2 bronze; 3 medals in Thang Ta with 1 gold and 2 bronze; 2 medals in gymnastics with 2 bronze; and 2 medals in weightlifting with 1 gold and 1 bronze medal," Tara added.