Excelsior Correspondent
KARGIL, Mar 4: Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmed Khan today said that traditional sports are an intrinsic component of the identity of a community or race and holding of events showcasing ancestral sports is the need of the hour.
The CEC stated this while addressing people during the concluding ceremony of the 4 day annual inter village traditional archery (Dafangs) tournament at Chiktan Shagaran here today.
Religious scholars, prominent citizens, Sarpanchs, Panchs and Nambardars were also present on the occasion.
The CEC while lauding the efforts of the organizers for having organized such an exemplary traditional sporting event expressed hope that gatherings of such nature would help a great deal in developing, sense of comfort and belonging thereby helping in strengthening the age old ethos of communal harmony in the district.
Khan further said that tradition and traditional events enable us to showcase the principles of our founding fathers and to celebrate oneness in diversity. He said that such events remind us that we are part of a history that defines our past, shapes our present and makes us realize who we are likely to become.
The CEC also went round the stalls on traditional instruments, clothes and other articles put on display by the organizers.
Khan also announced Rs 15,000 cash prize in favor of the organizers of the 4 day traditional sporting event.
The CEC said that the Hill Council is committed to give impetus to the preservation and promotion of culture and traditions in the district. Khan said that keeping this objective in mind the Council will endeavor to hold such traditional sporting and other related events through the Department of Tourism and Cultural Academy in the days to come.
Meanwhile, the local people also presented their grievances and demands before the CEC which included the establishment of Degree College in Shakar Chiktan area, widening of internal roads, augmentation of mobile services, renovation and remodeling of irrigation canals, strengthening of staff in CHC and other health centers, establishment of sports complex at Chiktan Shagaran, construction of ice hockey rink in the area and other related demands.
The CEC gave a patient hearing to the demands raised by the people and assured the fulfillment of all their genuine concerns in a phased manner.
Sports lovers and people in large numbers from Thuachay and adjoining villages thronged Chiktan Shagaran to witness the final matches.