Excelsior Sports Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Apr 11: To encourage budding players, Arun Sharma Sports and Social Welfare Trust today distributed playing kits among young players of district Udhampur and also organized an exhibition match of international players and coaches to showcase talent of the handball players of the past.
The handball match was organised between the teams of Jammu XI and Udhampur XI, in which Jammu XI emerged winner. From Jammu XI, Varun Dev Singh, Gaurav Sharma, Surinder Dogra, Kartar Dogra, Chandan Singh Chauhan, Ashish, Bir Bhan and Rohit Vardan participated while Udhampur side was represented by Sanjeev Sharma, Jasbir Singh, Rajeev Sadotra, Vipan Photra and Sourav Pandit.
On the occasion, over 40 young boys and girls were presented playing kits by the Trust so as to encourage the youngsters in the game of Handball. Important to mention here that Mini Stadium, Udhampur has got the synthetic handball court developed by the Department of Youth Services and Sports.
Former Director Sports of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), Ashok Kumar was chief guest in today’s event, who along with other guests encouraged the young Handball trainees from the district. He appreciated the initiative of the Trust and hoped that such gestures would go a long way in boosting the game in emerging sports hub of Udhampur.
The chief guest recalled the contributions of Arun Sharma for the growth of Handball in J&K and his association with the former coach as Deputy Director of the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS).
International SAI Handball coach, Dev Raj retired SAI coach, Sudesh Kumar and National handball player, Vandana Sharma were guests of honour, who earlier interacted with both the teams. Dev Raj encouraged the young trainees and also appreciated Udhampur district unit.
The trust has been formed with the sole aim to continue with the legacy of former international coach and player, Arun Kumar Sharma, who retired from the J&K Sports Council (JKSC) as Sports Officer. He was the man behind producing many international players from J&K, informed Ashutosh Sharma.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
