UDHAMPUR, May 23: The Department of Youth Services and Sports Udhampur today inaugurated the District Level Inter-Zonal Tournament for Boys U-14 and U-17 at Subash Stadium under the patronageship of DG YSS Anuradha Gupta, with Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Minga Sherpa as the Chief Guest.
The Chief Guest was accorded a warm welcome by DYSSO Udhampur Tarsem Singh along with ZPEOs, office officials and field staff of the department. The programme commenced with the National Song followed by the National Anthem in the presence of participants, officials and guests.
Welcoming the Chief Guest and participants, DYSSO Udhampur Tarsem Singh highlighted the achievements and ongoing activities of the department and expressed gratitude to the district administration for its continuous support towards sports promotion and youth development initiatives.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Commissioner Minga Sherpa emphasized the importance of sports in shaping the personality and future of youth. He stated that sports activities provide a constructive platform to engage young minds and play a crucial role in keeping youth away from drug abuse. He appreciated the efforts of the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Udhampur for promoting sports culture across the district, especially in far-flung areas under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan campaign.
The Deputy Commissioner encouraged the participants to maintain discipline, sportsmanship and dedication while participating in the tournament and motivated them to excel in sports at higher levels.
Around 403 participants from 11 zones of District Udhampur are taking part in the tournament in different disciplines including Kabaddi, Handball and Badminton. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation and vibrant sporting spirit among the young athletes.
Among others present on the occasion were Vijay Kumar, Jyoti Gupta, Suraj Bhan Singh, Rakesh Kumar and Yash Paul besides officials and field staff of the department. The office staff present included Arvind Kumar, Jaswinder Singh, Suresh Paul, Nisha Sharma, Vikas Sharma, Karun Magotra, Jatin Sethi, Sanjeev Khajuria and Menakshi Sharma. The field staff included Naveen Sharma, Rakesh Modi, Pushap Sharma, Manik Nargota, Ramesh Chander, Sanjeev Kumar, Amit Sharma, Sourabh Thappa, Dheeraj Tharmat, Anshu Brat Khanna, Deepak Sharma and Ishang Bandral.
Meanwhile, the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Udhampur also declared the results of the District Level Inter-Zonal Tournament for Boys U-14 and U-17 held at Subash Stadium.
In Badminton U-14 Boys category, Zone Udhampur emerged as winners while Zone Ramnagar secured the runner-up position. In U-17 Boys category, Zone Udhampur again clinched the title with Zone Ramnagar finishing as runners-up.
In Kabaddi U-14 Boys category, Zone Chenani emerged victorious while Zone Dudu secured the runner-up position. In U-17 Boys category, Zone Udhampur won the title and Zone Jib finished as runners-up.
In Handball U-14 Boys category, Zone Jib secured the winner’s title while Zone Udhampur remained runners-up. In the U-17 Boys category, Zone Udhampur emerged winners and Zone Jib secured the runner-up position.
The tournament witnessed enthusiastic participation from players representing 11 zones of District Udhampur and was organised under the aegis of the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Udhampur as part of the ongoing sports promotion and youth engagement initiatives.