Excelsior Sports Correspondent
![MoS for Industries and Commerce, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, interacting with Kabaddi players at Kishtwar.](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/page10-26-300x211.jpg)
JAMMU, Oct 8: Organized by Department of Youth Services and Sports, State level Under-19 (Boys) Kabbadi Tournament started today in the premises of Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Kishtwar.
Declaring the tournament open, Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Home, R&B and MED, Tourism and Culture, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo called upon the young players to inculcate sportsmanship spirit among them and prove their mettle in the playfield.
He congratulated the Department of Youth Services and Sports for organizing such a big event in Kishtwar. He said that Chenab valley is full of potential and more efforts are needed to fully explore and utilize this talent.
Kichloo also announced construction of mini stadium, multi-purpose gym and stage at Girls’ HSS Kishtwar amounting to Rs 1.5 crores under Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan.
Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Mohd Javed Khan, SSP Sanjay Kotwal and other district and sectoral officers were present on the occasion.
Earlier, DYSS Officer, Kishtwar, Dewan Thakur, apprised about the activities taken by the department for upliftment of games in the district. He informed that a total number of nine teams representing Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua, Samba, Doda, Kishtwar, Reasi, Baramulla and Pulwama are participating in the tournament.
In the inaugural match played today, Kathua defeated Samba with a score of 58- 25.