Pivotal role by Div Com in making Khel Gaon a sporting hub: DG Sports
*Declares open 65th NSG U-19 Boys Kho-Kho C’ship
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 5: One observes a sea change in the sports culture of Jammu and Kashmir from last few years with regard to enhancement in the standard of sports and development of infrastructural facilities at all levels. This change is because of the commitment of the Government and sheer-dint of hard work by some enthusiastic, spirited officers at the helm of affairs.
This was stated by Sanjeev Verma, Divisional Commissioner Jammu while declaring open 65th National School Games Under-19 Boys Kho-Kho Championship in an impressive, colourful and well attended function at Khel Gaon, Nagrota, here today.
The Divisional Commissioner was accompanied by Director General Youth Services and Sports, Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman, Lieutenant Colonel Pawan Kumar, Principal Sainik School Nagrota and a galaxy of dignitaries.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Verma said that it is fantastic to see the Centre as well as the Government of Jammu and Kashmir taking initiatives in connection with promoting sports in every nook and corner of the Union Territory and building infrastructure even in the rural areas.
Lavishing praise on DG Sports for being active and enthusiastic in promoting sports culture, the Divisional Commissioner said that such sporting extravaganzas apart from providing opportunity to budding sportspersons to showcase their talent, also helps them to exchange culture with their counterparts from other States.
He said sportspersons are the messengers of peace and harmony, adding that holding mega sporting events like this is a step forward in promoting tourism in the Union Territory.
Quoting the examples of upgraded MA Stadium, establishment of Bhagwati Nagar Stadium and the development of a galaxy of Stadia in rural areas, Mr Verma said that there is a lot of scope to develop a few of them like Bhagwati Nagar Stadium and Stadium at Rajouri into well established multi-purpose stadiums.
He asked DG Sports to involve youth and senior citizens in sports activities apart from involving budding players for making better societies to help Union Territory flourish. He also advised DG Sports to sponsor more and more rural youth for national level programmes.
Mr Verma said that sports and games are the best media to help youth not to fall prey to social evils like drugs, drinking and not to derail from the mainstream.
Laying thrust on team work, the Divisional Commissioner said that matches are won by playing as a cohesive unit, similarly the departments can also achieve goals by working as well-knit units.
Earlier, in his welcome address Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman congratulated the participating contingents and highlighted the achievements of the department from last few years.
He said apart from the regular activities, this year the department organised historic Ski Courses for girl students at the world famous and picturesque Gulmarg.
Dr Saleem was all praise for the Divisional Commissioner Jammu in playing a pivotal role for establishing Khel Gaon by taking a big initiative of handing over a land of 175 kanals to the Department of Youth Services and Sports.
He said Khel Gaon is turning to be an asset in sports and emerging as a sporting hub in the Union Territory.
The Championship, in which the teams drawn from 26 States/Union Territories across the country are taking part, is being organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports J&K, under the aegis of School Games Federation of India (SGFI).
Meanwhile, in the matches played on the opening day, Uttar Pradesh defeated DAV by 1 innings and 5 points; Rajasthan thrashed CBSE by 1 innings and 38 points; Gujarat got the better of Punjab in an exciting contest by 1 point and Bihar prevailed over J&K in another close contest by 2 points. Hitesh Kumar was the star performer for Bihar, who took 3 points in just 2 minutes of play.
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