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Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 6: Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh declared the National School Games in the discipline of Football Under-19 Boys open by releasing the balloons and pigeons in an impressive, well attended and colourful function at MA Stadium, here today.
The Championship is being organized by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, under the aegis of School Games Federation of India (SGFI).
While Deputy Chief Minister was the chief guest on the occasion, Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports and Transport, Sunil Kumar Sharma was the guest of honour.
Earlier, Director Youth Services and Sports, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmed presented welcome address and gave brief report of the Championship, while Secretary Youth Services and Sports and Technical Education, Hilal Ahmed Parray threw light on the sporting activities being carried out by the State Government.
Prominent among others present on the occasion were Joint Directors of Youth Services and Sports of twin divisions, Deputy Director Central and the officers and officials from School Games Federation of India.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Nirmal Singh after chanting Bharat ‘Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Matram’ said that the State of Jammu and Kashmir will be an educational hub in near future as the Government is leaving no stone unturned in raising infrastructural facilities in education and the sports as well.
Dr Singh further said that holding of mega events in the State, apart from helping players to hone their skill and talent, also are a step forward in bringing peace and harmony to the State through the medium of sports as the sportspersons are the messengers of peace.
Lavishing praise on the organizers, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the administrators at the helm of affairs and the organizers of the event have made all the arrangements with regard to facilities to be provided to visiting contingents.
Minister of State for Sports and Transport, Sunil Kumar Sharma while speaking on the occasion said that sports and games serve for delight, ornament and for agility, adding that the events like this apart from promoting sports and games in the State, promote tourism and provide visiting players and officials to interact with the players of other States to exchange culture. He also gave ‘shradanjali’ to Ms Jayalalithaa on the occasion.
The Deputy CM and the Minister of State for Sports said that Government is committed to develop sports infrastructure and promote sports in nooks and corners of the State.
A souvenir published by the Directorate was also released by the chief guest and the other dignitaries on the occasion.
The chief guest, guest of honour and Secretary YS&S were presented bouquets and mementos by Director Sports, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmed as a token of gratitude from the organizers.
The proceedings of the programme were conducted by Rajesh Dhar, Lecturer Physical Education.
Meanwhile, eight matches were played on the four venues today.
J&K started its campaign on a positive note, defeating CBSE by three goals to one (3-1) at GGM Science College Football ground. For J&K, Sahil scored 2 goals during 36th and 57th minutes, while earlier, Nadeem Ashraf netted the goal in 14th minute. Anurag was the goal scorer for CBSE in 59th minute of the match.
At MA Stadium, in the first match Punjab defeated Himachal Pradesh by three goals to nil (3-0). For Punjab, Rohit scored the 2 goals in 20th and 40th minute, while Rajat netted the third goal in 48th minute. In the first half, Punjab was leading by one goal to nil (1-0).
At Jammu University, DAV Colleges had a goalless draw against formidable West Bengal, while at BSF Paloura, Maharashtra defeated IPSC by three goals to two (3-2). For Maharashtra, Denzin Collaco, Christopher Farnadez and Jagdish Gadekar scored the goals in 4th, 57th and 58th minutes resepectively, while for IPSC, Arvind Jain and Himanshu netted the goals in 34th and 51st minutes respectively.
In other match played on day-1 today, Rajasthan outplayed Puducherry, Tamilnadu drew against Lakshdweep, NVS lost to Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh got better of Gujarat.
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