DODA, Jun 4: The Inter-Zonal District Level Tournament commenced today with great enthusiasm and sporting spirit at the Indoor Stadium Doda, bringing together talented young athletes from across the district.
The tournament was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Doda, Sh. Krishan Lal (JKAS), in the presence of Sh. Ashok Kumar, District Youth Services & Sports Officer (DYSSO) Doda, officials of the Department of Youth Services & Sports, players, coaches, and sports enthusiasts.
The event is being organized under the dynamic guidance of Ms. Anuradha Gupta (JKAS), Director General, Youth Services & Sports J&K, and Sh. Inderjit Singh Parihar, Joint Director Youth Services & Sports Jammu, with overall supervision by Sh. Ashok Kumar, DYSSO Doda.
Deputy Commissioner congratulated the Department of Youth Services & Sports for organizing the tournament and encouraged participants to uphold the values of discipline, dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship. He emphasized that sports play a vital role in character building, promoting physical fitness, and channelizing the energy of youth towards constructive and positive pursuits.
The opening ceremony began with the National Anthem, followed by the administration of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Pledge, wherein all participants pledged to stay away from drug abuse and other social evils while contributing towards building a healthy, responsible, and progressive society.
The tournament has brought together players representing ten zones of District Doda, namely Assar, Ghat, Gundna, Bhalessa, Bhagwah, Doda, Bhalla, Thathri, Bhaderwah, and Bhatyas. The event aims to promote a vibrant sports culture, foster healthy competition, and identify talented sportspersons for participation at higher levels.
In the inaugural match, Zone Bhaderwah registered a convincing victory over Zone Bhatyas by a margin of 21 points. Aditya of Zone Bhaderwah earned special recognition for achieving the first Super Ten of the tournament, showcasing remarkable skill, determination, and sportsmanship.
In the second match of the day, Zone Ghat defeated Zone Gundna by 13 points in a thrilling contest marked by spirited performances from both teams.
The matches were officiated by an experienced panel comprising PELs, PEMs, PETs, and REK Teachers, ensuring the smooth, fair, and successful conduct of the competitions.
The opening day witnessed enthusiastic participation, competitive zeal, and impressive performances, setting the stage for an exciting and successful tournament in the days ahead. The tournament is expected to provide a valuable platform for young athletes to showcase their talent and further strengthen the sporting culture across District Doda.