Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 6: Governor NN Vohra, today inaugurated 29th Sub-Junior Boys (under 15) and 14th Mini Girls (under 12) Handball National Championship at Sher-i-Kashmir Indoor Sports Complex, here today.
In all, 23 teams drawn from various States are participating in the Sub-Junior Boys Tournament and 14 teams are taking part in the Mini Girls in this 6-day Championship which has been organised by the J&K Handball Association under the aegis of the Handball Federation of India and J&K State Sports Council.
Governor, who was chief guest on the occasion, said that holding more and more sporting events promote camaraderie and enlarge understandings among the youth of various parts of the country besides giving a fillip to sports and improving the overall environment.
Referring to the 29th Sub-Junior Boys and 14th Mini Girls Handball Championship, Governor observed that handball lovers would get a very good opportunity to witness these teams in action in the coming five days.
He took the salute from the contingents of the players at an impressive March Past, which was followed by oath taking ceremony by the teams.
RS Chib, Minister for Youth Services and Sports, gave details of the various initiatives being taken for the promotion of sports and games in the State. He dwelt on the history and evolution of the handball game in J&K.
Chib urged the participating players to be the ambassadors of J&K in their respective States and disseminate the message that J&K is as safe as any other place in the country.
Earlier, Mr S M Bali, secretary general, Handball Federation of India and president, J&K Handball Association, in his welcome address, dwelt on the measures being taken for the promotion of the game of handball. He also threw light on the handball events being organized in the State later this year and the next year.
At the end, Prof BA Shah, Joint Secretary, Sports Council, presented vote of thanks.
The opening match of the tournament was played between J&K and Himachal Pradesh teams.
Among others present were K Rajendra, Additional Director General of Police (Armed/Law and Order), J P Singh, Director, Youth Services and Sports, Dalip Thussu, Secretary, J&K State Sports Council, office bearers of the Handball Federation of India and J&K Handball Association, participating teams and handball lovers.
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