JAMMU, Oct 22: The Department of Youth Services and Sports, District Jammu, on Thursday commenced the Inter-District Union Territory-Level Athletics Competition for Under-17 boys at the Athletics Track, University of Jammu, providing young athletes an opportunity to showcase their talent and compete at the UT level.
The competition was inaugurated by District Youth Services and Sports Officer (DYSSO) Jammu, Sukhdev Raj Sharma. The event is being organised under the patronage of Director General, Youth Services and Sports, J&K, Anuradha Gupta, and under the guidance of Joint Director, Youth Services and Sports, Jammu Division, Inderjeet Singh. The overall supervision of the event is being carried out by DYSSO Jammu, Sukhdev Raj Sharma.
Addressing the participants, Sukhdev Raj Sharma appreciated the enthusiastic participation of the young athletes and encouraged them to compete with discipline, determination and team spirit. He urged the players to uphold the true values of sportsmanship, respect their opponents and strive for excellence in their respective events. He also emphasised the importance of sports in promoting physical fitness, confidence and the overall development of young people.
The competition is providing a platform for talented athletes from different districts of Jammu and Kashmir to demonstrate their abilities and compete for top honours in various track and field events.
The events are being conducted by departmental experts, including Nirmal Singh, Harsimran Singh, Kailash Choudhary, Ashwani Kumar, Mohd. Ashraf, Sanjeev Kumar, Koushal Kumar, Sukhdev Singh, Pawandeep Kour, Harvinder Singh, Amit Kalsi, Manish Charak and other technical officials of the department.
In the results announced for the Under-17 boys’ category, Sayed Faiez of District Jammu secured the gold medal in the 100-metre race, while Momin Mirza, also representing Jammu, clinched gold in the 200-metre event. Rizwaan Hassan of District Ganderbal emerged victorious in the 3,000-metre race.
In the field events, Alok of District Jammu won gold in the triple jump, while Mohd. Anees of Jammu secured the top position in the high jump. Rutvik Bhat of District Jammu claimed gold in the shot put, and Tahir Ahmed of District Kupwara won the gold medal in the javelin throw.
The opening day’s performances highlighted the athletic talent of young sportspersons from across the Union Territory. The competition reflects the department’s continued efforts to promote grassroots sports, identify emerging talent and encourage greater participation in athletics among school-age youth.