Excelsior Sports Correspondent
-Excelsior/Rakesh
JAMMU, Dec 10: Thrashing Tamil Nadu by four goals to nil (4-0) in the summit clash, defending champion Punjab lifted the title trophy of the 62nd National School Games Under-19 Football Championship, organized by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, under the aegis of School Games Federation of India at BSF Paloura ground, here.
Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports and Transport, Sunil Kumar Sharma was the chief guest on the valedictory function, while Secretary to Government, Youth Services and Sports Department, Hilal Ahmed Parray was the guest of honour.
Meanwhile, in the finals, Punjab players displayed extraordinary soccer skills and showed determination and composure to dominate the game from the word go. The team managed to score 2 goals in the first half through Manjinder Singh and Rohit Jhamat in 22nd and 26th minutes of the match respectively.
In the second half, Vijay Kumar increased the lead in the 55th minute and finally Manjinder Singh pelted his 2nd and the team’s 4th goal in the dying moments to help Punjab win the match by four goals to nil. Rohit Jhamat of Punjab was adjudged as the player of the tournament.
The third place was bagged by Uttar Pradesh, defeating KVS by a solitary goal. The goal scorer was Inder Dev Khanayaya, who netted it in 11th minute of the match.
The winners and runners-up teams were felicitated by the chief guest and the other dignitaries on the occasion.
The students of Bhagwati Haqikat Memorial Public High School, Loweer Barnai, Jammu and Government Higher Secondary School, Shastri Nagar were also felicitated by the chief guest for presenting beautiful cultural items.
The chief guest also felicitated the Band Troupe of Border Security Force.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister lavished praise on the organizers for holding this mega event and said that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir is committed to promote sports and games in nooks and corners of the State.
The Minister said, sports and games apart from many other things help in character building and inculcating sportsman spirit among the youth.
He was all praise for the Department of Youth Services and Sports, especially its field staff for channelizing the energy of youth in positive direction.
Earlier, Director Sports, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmed presented welcome address and gave brief report of the Championship. He said 29 teams participated in this mega event, adding that all kind of facilities were provided to the visiting contingents.
Secretary to Government, Youth Services and Sports, Hial Ahmed Parray also addressed the large gathering of budding sportspersons from across the country and praised them for showing discipline and sportsman spirit.
Prominent among others present on the occasion were Joint Directors of Youth Services and Sports of twin divisions, besides all District Youth Services and Sports Officers of the State.
The proceedings of the programme were conducted by Rajesh Dhar, Lecturer Physical Education and BK Tickoo, Physical Education Master.
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