Excelsior Sports correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 29: The Mallinson School basketball team emerged victorious today in the TBMS Director’s Cup Basketball Tournament for girls, defeating Amira Kadal Girls’ Higher Secondary School in a closely contested match.
The match took place at Mallinson School in Srinagar amidst an electric atmosphere, with hundreds of enthusiastic girls passionately cheering for both the teams. This tournament, organised by TBMS, witnessed the participation of nearly 16 teams from various corners of the valley. An impressive turnout of nearly 2000 girls, accompanied by dedicated teachers and officials, added to the grandeur of the event.
The Mallinson School secured a convincing victory with a score of 67-31, making them the champions, while GHSS, Amira Kadal received the runner-up trophy. Maria Haris of MGS was named the standout player of the match, while Ayesha Riyaz of MGS earned recognition as the tournament’s top player.
SRM Welkin School, Sopore, received the award for the most disciplined team, and TBMS, Tangmarg, was acknowledged as the emerging team of the tournament.
Insha Bashir, the first female wheelchair basketball player, shared her sentiments about the event, expressing her delight at witnessing the progress of girls in the sport. “The match was very well contested, with both teams displaying outstanding skills. I am immensely proud of the girls’ advancement in basketball. Having such platforms is a testament to their dedication and talent. Just five to six years ago, such facilities were scarce. With improved facilities at the school level, we can tap into even more talent, she said.
Parwez Samuel Kaul, the Director of TBMS, expressed, “Basketball is gaining popularity in Kashmir due to its minimal maintenance requirements. Once a court is established, the game can flourish,” he said. He also emphasised the positive impact of sports on addressing various social issues. Chief Guest, Waseem Raja, lauded the school’s commitment to sports and cited Insha as a role model for the evolving sports scene in Jammu and Kashmir.
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