Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 9: The Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) J&K is all set to create history this season with regard to hosting of record number of National School Games as it has already organised two National level sporting extravaganzas in the disciplines of Football and Volleyball as part of 67th National School Games in Kashmir from October 31 to November 4, 2023 and is ready to host another two National Level sporting events in Jammu from November 14 to November 24, in the disciplines of Judo and Fencing as part of 67th NSG.
According to officials of the Department, this is for the first time in the history of the DYSS that it is hosting National School Games in four sporting disciplines in a particular season, adding the holding of one or two National events has been a custom in the Department.
“I have served the Department for around 35 years and do not remember any season when the Department had organised National School Games in more than two sports disciplines. It is always a huge ask rather an uphill task to hold a mega national level event wherein around 25 to 30 teams across the country take part. And clinching a medal in the same is always icing on the cake. Hats off to DYSS,” said a retired District Sports Officer of the Department.
He further said that it was always a great feeling to observe that the Department recently organised 67th National School Games in Under-19 boys Football and Under-17 boys Volleyball in a most befitting way in Kashmir, adding that emerging champions in Football and bronze medal winners in Volleyball simply smacked an ecstatic feeling in the entire sports fraternity of J&K Union Territory.
Director Youth Services and Sports, Subash Chander Chibber said, “With sheer-dint of hardwork by the players and officials and the facilities and arrangements in place, we expect the winning of a galaxy of medals in the disciplines of Judo and Fencing. Clinching gold in Football and bronze in Volleyball have served as the morale booster.”
Jitender Mishra, Deputy Director Youth Services and Sports (Central) said that both Judo and Fencing events will be held at University of Jammu and for the comfort of the players and officials, they will be lodged at nearby Saraswati Dham.
“It is indeed historic as the Department is hosting four National level events in one season. We have witnessed participation of around 1500 players and officials in the two nationals held in Kashmir and around 1400 athletes and escorts are expected to participate in the upcoming two Nationals to be organised in Jammu. Around 30 teams in each event,” said Activities Incharge of the DYSS.