*Says School Games are best medium to explore talent
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 11: Scripting a thrilling win by 1 wicket over Chhattisgarh in the summit clash, Jammu and Kashmir lifted the title trophy in the Under-19 Boys Cricket Championship, organized by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports as part of 62nd National School Games, under the aegis of School Games Federation of India at University ground, here today.
Minister of State for Transport and Youth Services and Sports, Sunil Kumar Sharma was the chief guest on the occasion. He was accompanied by Secretary to Government Youth Services and Sports, Hilal Ahmed Parray and Director Youth Services and Sports, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmed, besides Officers and Officials of the Department and officials from School Games Federation of India (SGFI).
Speaking on the occasion, Sunil Kumar lavished praise on the organizers for holding this mega event involving a big number of teams from across the country.
He said that the School Games at the National or Domestic Level are the best medium to explore sports at the grass-root level, adding that the need is to look straight in the faces of budding youth and catch them young and coach them.
Minister said that the need is to infuse moral values among the budding sportspersons as it is the moral values which are the mantra for youth to blossom in society and not to derail from the mainstream.
The Minister also stressed for organizing parliaments for students to redress their problems and issues.
The Minister said sports play crucial role in the physical fitness and well being of people, apart from contributing to social inclusiveness, gender equality and youth development.
Mr Sharma said the Government is committed to promote sports in the State. He said organizing such events provide opportunities to the players to gain knowledge of the culture of each other. He called for constituting Youth Parliaments at district level to give their suggestions for better sports activities.
Earlier, Director Youth Services and Sports, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmed presented welcome address and gave brief report of the Championship. He also highlighted the achievements of the Department during the year 2016-17 and said a total of 1697 student players participated in the ongoing season and won 117 medals in 62nd National School Games.
Secretary to Govt YS & Sports, Hilal Ahmed Parray also spoke on the occasion and gave detail of the activities being carried out by the Department.
Earlier, in Under-19 Boys Tennis Cricket final, J&K defeated Chhattisgarh by 1 wicket in a close contest. Batting first, Chhattisgarh scored 79 runs in 10 overss, while in reply, J&K chased the target on the penultimate ball by losing 9 wickets to win the match by 1 wicket. For J&K, Sajan and Rashid contributed 19 runs each, while Umar who was declared as man of the match was the wrecker-in-chief, scalping 4 wickets in 3 overs by conceding 9 runs. The 3rd position in Under-19 Boys Tennis Cricket was bagged by Andhra Pradesh.
In Under-17 Girls Cricket final, Haryana defeated Punjab by 37 runs. Haryana scored 115 runs, while Punjab bundled out for 77 runs. The third place in Under-17 Girls Cricket went to Andhra Pradesh.
In Under-19 Girls, J&K won the title, while Delhi bagged 2nd spot and Punjab claimed 3rd position.
Umar of J&K got man of the final and best bowler of the Championship award in Under-19 Boys Tennis Cricket, while Sonamika of J&K emerged woman of the final and best batswoman of the Championship. The players from other States who got the special awards were Saifali of Haryana, Anjali of UP, Mannat of Punjab and Swapnil Prakash of Chhattisgarh.
J&K boys and girls Tennis Cricket teams and girls Under-17 Cricket team were imparted coaching and training by Anju Gupta, Saleem-ur-Rehman, Rupali Slathia, Sadiq Hussain Malik, Madan Mohan and Satika Sharma.
The proceedings of the valedictory function were conducted by Manmeet Kour and Rajesh Dhar.
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