Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, July 28: A three- day-long J&K UT Kalaripayattu Championship organized by Kalaripayattu Association of J&K commenced at Indoor Complex Stadium Bhagwati Nagar, here today.
The championship was organized under the leadership of Danish Sharma, General Secretary, Kalaripayattu Association of J&K and hosted by District Jammu Kalaripayattu Association under the supervision of Harshvardhan Raina, Secretary District Jammu Kalarippayattu Association.
More than 350 players from different districts of J&K including Jammu, Rajouri, Kathua, Samba, Reasi, Srinagar, Ganderbal, Budgam, Kulgam, Bandipora, Kupwara, Udhampur, Kishtwar, Doda and Baramulla participated in the championship with great zeal and enthusiasm. Anissa Nabi, State Tax Officer was the chief guest while Rajeev Sharma, President, Hockey J&K as well as member, J&K Sports Council was the guest of honour on this occasion.
Anissa Nabi appreciated Kalaripayattu Association for organizing championship and providing a platform to the youth to channelize their energy towards sports. She also appreciated the work being done by the Association in the field of sports and the outstanding performance of the players. She also expressed her immense pleasure to the players who participated in the tournament from different parts of the Union Territory beside the difficult weather conditions.
The championship was also supported by Mussafir Welfare Organization. During the event players were also felicitated with medals and awards for their achievements. The gold medal winners for the day were Vihaan Gupta, Vinayak Gupta, Tarun Gupta, Medhavi Lakhanpal, Tejshree Singh, Aaranya Mahajan, Hardik, Muzammil Hamid, Wahid Ahmed Bhat, Laksh Thakur, Jafar, Oman Khazir, Hazim Nisar, Abdul Mukeet, Mehak Pandita, Ridhima, Safiya Lateef, Aaranya Mahajan, Darafsha, Seeral Iqbal, Santushti, Tanzia Ayoob, Samreena and Aarya Kitroo.
Silver medals given to Viraaj Mahajan, Droan Dushyant Kohli, Bilal Bashir, Shanaya Sharma, Kavya Singh, Sumaiya, Ashutosh, Sabir, Dar Aban, Amanat Ashiq, Krishiv, Wazil Maqbool, Adeeb Choudhary, Yashasvi Bhagat, Karuna and Divyanshi.
While, bronze medal winners were Vihaan Mahajan, Suhail Ahmed, Ritvik Choudhary, Sarvagye Gupta, Mohd Zaheen, Javaid Ahmed, Aarav Bali, Noorain Fatima, Nashaal, Aapurti Saini, Adhaya Gupta, Nirmit Koul, Shivakshi Puri, Sheen, Stuti, Navya and Tejshree Singh.
Others who were present on this occasion were Sandeepan Dutta, Dr. Kunal Anand, Principal DPS, Udhampur and Ritika Slathia, Manager Indoor Sports Complex, Bhagwati Nagar and others.