Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 11: Appreciating the interest being evinced by youngsters in rural sports, Minister for Labour, Planning and Development, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra has said that the traditional wrestling still holds hope and unfolds opportunities for those who want to take sports as a career.
Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony of the national level wrestling event at Thathar Bantalab here, the Minister described wrestling as one of the oldest sporting disciplines and said this continues to be practiced and taken up by youngsters, not only in the countryside but in urban areas as well.
“Wrestling has its own set of fans who still feel nostalgic about the competition which used to bring euphoria years ago”, he said, admitting that this activity is facing challenge from other sports in the present times.
Mr Sadhotra expressed happiness over larger participation of youth in this sports activity and said this will not only keep them in good shape physically but also sharpen their mental growth.
The Minister said that sports are gaining momentum in Jammu and Kashmir and the government led by Omar Abdullah has taken several initiatives for creating infrastructural facilities across the state, especially in rural areas so that the youth get adequate coaching and avenues to excel in games of their interest. He said there was no dearth of talent but the need is to identify and sharpen their skills in a professional manner.
Mr Sadhotra exhorted the youngsters to come forward and participate in various sporting events.
The Minister presented awards to those who made their mark in the wrestling competition.
The event was organised by the Dangal committee Thathar Bantalab. In all 120 wrestlers from various parts of the country including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uattar Pardesh, Himachal Pardesh besides Jammu and Kashmir participated.
The event was spread over 60 sessions of wrestling. In the first round Vinia Amin of Jammu and Kashmir Police defeated Jagdev Singh of Delhi and was declared the winner. He was presented Rs one lakh.
A large number of sports lovers witnessed the wrestling.
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