Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 19: Speech competition on “Smoke Management Saves Lives” was held at Fire and Emergency Headquarters, Gandhi Nagar, in which 35 students from nine different school participated. The competition was organised as a part of “Fire Service Week”.
The first prize was bagged by Ishan Khan, a class X student of New Era Environment High School, Jain Bazaar, while the second and third prizes were secured by Ankita Jain, a class X student of SD Tara Puri Public School, Gandhi Nagar and Anchal, a class IX student of Dogra Higher Secondary School, Shastri Nagar.
The mementos and cash prizes were awarded to the winners along with certificates by Dr GA Bhat, Director General, Fire and Emergency Services, who was the chief guest on the occasion. RS Sodhi, Director, Fire and Emergency Services, RK Hak, joint director and other senior officers were also present.
While speaking, Dr Bhat stressed upon all the schools to take lead in educating the people about fire preventions and fire precautions in order to strengthen the nation economically.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Apr 19: “Zonal Level Sports meet” was held at Government Higher Secondary School, Arnas, in which students from various schools participated and exhibited their skills.
On the occasion, Principal, Government Higher Secondary School, Arnas was the chief guest while students and faculty members from various schools were also present.
While speaking, Principal highlighted the importance of sports in the day today life. He said that sports play pivotal role for the overall development of the body viz mentally and physically.
During the sports meet, various events including, Volleyball, Kabaddi, Wrestling, Kho-Kho, Chess, Badminton, Carrom, etc were organised, in which students participated enthusiastically and exhibited their skills.
Prizes were distributed among the winners and runner up students.

DHAKA/LAHORE, Apr 19:
Pakistan’s hopes of hosting its first international cricket match in three years was today thrown into jeopardy after the High Court in Bangladesh suspended the national team’s tour to the strife-torn nation for four weeks due to security reasons.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has now informed their Pakistani counterpart that they would not be able undertake the brief tour on the scheduled dates of April 29 and 30 in view of the court order.
Bangladesh team was set to play a one-dayer on April 29 and a Twenty20 international the next day at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore in the first full international matches in Pakistan since March 2009, when Sri Lankan cricketers and officials were attacked by gunmen in Lahore.
“Suspend the tour for four weeks,” said an order issued today by a two-member bench responding to a petition challenging BCB’s decision to send the national team to Pakistan, where it was set to take part in two matches.
The High Court bench comprising judges Farid Ahmed and Sheikh Hassan Arif questioned the legality of decision to send Bangladesh cricketers on a short trip despite the security risks and ordered the Sports Ministry Secretary and chiefs of National Sports Council chief and BCB to justify the decision in the meantime. (PTI)

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: A delegation of J&K ITI Employees United Front and J&K Sports Council (JKSC) headed by veteran Trade Union Leader Mohd Gafoor Dar, met Minister for Technical Education, Youth services and Sports, RS Chib in his office chamber to press for their long pending genuine demands.
During the meeting, the delegation highlighted their demands including regularisation of contractual V Instructor (Academic) and all adhocees Under SRO 255, enhancement of salary of contractual V Instructor on revised rates, immediate holding of DPC meetings of both gazetted/ non-gazetted to fill up the promotionary quota posts in the Department and amendments in recruitment rules of non-gazetted staff of the Department.
In a detailed meeting, the Commissioner Secretary for Technical Education, Vinod Koul, who was also present in the meeting along with Director Technical Education, SC Sawhney, sought some information regarding the Union from the delegation. The delegation assured the authorities that the requisite information would be submitted within a short span of time.
The minister also assured the delegation for taking appropriate action shortly.
Besides Mohd Gafoor Dar, the delegation comprised of president, JKITIEUF, Nazir Ahmed Molvi, secretary JKITIEUF, Karan Singh, Naresh Sharma, Sumit Chandail, Sunanda, Nisar and Vikram Jeet Singh.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 19: United States (US) Embassy launched Access English Micro-Scholarship programme at Model Academy, BC Road.
The programme was officially inaugurated by Joelle Uzarski, Director of the Regional English Language Office at the US Embassy, New Delhi, which was attended by Dr Arun K Gupta, Chairman, MIER Group of Institutions, Dr Adit Gupta, joint director, MIER, Renu Gupta, Principal, besides teachers, coordinator and students.
Dr Adit Gupta, presented the welcome address and informed that 100 students have been selected to receive this scholarship, which is for the period of two years wherein the students will be provided books and made to do a lot of intensive activities, to improve their language skills both spoken and written.
He said that the programme will also provide avenues for ensuring the overall personality development of the students who are aged between 14 and 16 years.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Arun K Gupta, said that the students will be able to develop English language skills.
Joelle Uzarski, informed them that the programme is running successfully in more than 80 countries. She said that as English is an importance tool in the modern world for getting good job, to continue education, to make friends, etc, the students need to develop their English language skills and access programme strives to do the same.
The programme was conducted by Manju Wali and she also presented vote of thanks.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Apr 19: Drug and Food Control Organization in collaboration with District Information Centre, organized an Inter BEd College symposium on “Drug Addiction: A Social Curse” in the premises of Kalra College of Education.
Deputy Commissioner P. K Pole was the chief guest while Controller Drug and Food Control Organization, Satish Gupta was the guest of honour on the occasion.
As many as eight participants drawn from different BEd colleges of the district participated in the symposium and expressed their views on the vital issue.
Sonali Jamwal of Kalra College of Education was declared best speaker while as Neetu Sharma of Kalra College of Education and Anmol Majahan of Bharatiya College of Education secured second and third positions respectively.
Appreciating the efforts of organizing agencies of the symposium, DDC exhorted upon the participants to spread about the hazard of drug abuse starting even from their home and society. He said that the youth will play most effective role in containing the evil as it is this group which has to save itself from the onslaught of the bad habit.
Controller Drug and Food organization stressed the need for sensitizing the people about the bad effects of drug adding that the students have to play a pivotal role to curb this menace which has grabbed the whole world.
Project Director, Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses, Pallavi Singh advocated for the formulation of youth clubs at different areas in general and college level in particular to education the youngster about this menace.
Assistant Controller Drug and Food Control Organisation delivered welcome address while Principal of the host institution presented vote of thanks.
Among others, Deputy Controller Drug, Lotika Khajuria, Chairman Kalra College of Education, Aman Kalra, Designated Officer Drug and Food, Kavinder Choudhary, Assistant Controllers Drug and Food, members of Chemist Association, teachers and students were present on the occasion.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Apr 19: Wrestler Abdul Gaffar of Malair Kotla (Punjab) defeated wrestler Murad Ali of Jammu and lifted the 50th Annual Amarnath Memorial Mahadangal organised by Amarnath Dangal Committee in collaboration with Mukti Youth Club (MYC) at Sports Stadium, Subash Nagar.
The winner of the match was awarded Rs 4500 and Silver Guraj while as runner up of the match was given Rs 3000 cash prize by the Deputy Commissioner, PK Pole and Deputy Inspector General of Police Udhampur-Reasi range, Jagjit Kumar, who were the chief guest and guest of honour respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner said that these events will keep the wrestlers physically fit and mentally sound and could also contribute in shaping the future of the society in a better way.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jagjit Kumar, made an appeal to the young generation to adopt wrestling sports for healthier life and bright future.
At the end, Geeta Devi, President, Mukti Youth Club, presented vote of thanks.
The matches were officiated by Sandokh Chand, Vijay Singh, Mohd Fareed, Laxman Singh and Prakash Verma.
Among others present were Sarpanch Panchayat Kallar, Rampyari, Additional SP, Abdul Jabbar, District Officer, Dr Jagdish Mehra, President of J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association, Shiv Kumar Sharma, Chairman Amar Nath Dangal Committee, Udhampur, Yash Kumar, besides many others.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Apr 19: 137 Bn CRPF lifted the Volleyball Zonal Inter OPS Groups Centers and Battalions Games Competition by defeating 151 Bn CRPF of Preet Nagar, Jammu by straight two set.
In Basket Ball event, 74 Bn CRPF of Kishtwar remained winner by inflicting defeat over the 137 Bn CRPF of Udhampur in the final match played at District Police Lines, Udhampur.
The Zonal Inter OPS Groups Centers and Battalions Games Competition for volleyball and Basketball disciplines were conducted by 137 Bn of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at District Police Line.
On the concluding, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Udhampur-Reasi Ranage, Jagjit Kumar was the chief guest who distributed trophies among the winner and runner up teams of both categories.
Deputy Inspector General of CRPF Ops, Jammu North, S.S. Dogra while speaking on the occasion said that a total of 32 teams sixteen each of volleyball and basket ball took part in the competition. He said in all 256 players of CRPF exhibited their sports talent during the competition under both events.
He hoped that the players of CRPF would put in their best efforts for showing best performance in other events to be organized in near future.
Additional SP Abdul Jabbar, Second in Command 137 Bn CRPF, D. V Thomas, Dy SP (DAR), Suram and other officers of CRPF besides Jawans in large number were present on the occasion.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

POONCH, Apr 19: Poonch Thunderbolts will take on Jammu Royals in the finals of the Poonch Premier League (Pool C matches), organised by Army under Operation Sadbhavana in collaboration with District Sports Department at Poonch Degree College grounds here today.
The first league match of the day was played between Rajouri Miracles and Poonch Thunderbolts, in which latter emerged winner by 21 runs.
Batting first, after winning the toss, Poonch Thunderbolts scored 101 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. Wasim Raja was the highest scorer with 30 runs.
For Rajouri Miracles, Sumit Khajuria scalped 3 wickets.
While chasing the target Rajouri Miracles, failed to chase the target and bundled out at 81 runs and lost the match by 21 runs.
Wasim Raja was declared as man of the match.
In the second match of the day, Jammu Royals routed Rajouri Rajas with a huge margin of 132 runs in a one sided match.
Batting first, Jammu Royals posted a total of 167 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Partap Singh was the highest scorer, who chipped in 54 runs in 47 balls.
In the second inning, Rajouri Rajas failed to resist the pace of Jammu Royals, and bundled out at a paltry 35 runs for all out.
Partap Singh of Jammu Royals was adjudged as man of the match.
Sagar Sharma, Superintendent, ITI Poonch, presented man of the match awards to Manjit Singh and Partap Singh.
Meanwhile, in Doda Premier League, Doda Lions thrashed Kishtwar Kings by 7 wickets.
Batting first, Kishtwar Kings chipped in 83 runs in stipulated 20 overs, which its opponent Doda Lions, chased easily in just 18.1 overs for the loss of just 3 wickets during the process.
Yassir Arfat of Doda Lions, who chipped in 55 runs was adjudged as man of the match.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 19: Annual Sports week organised by Sai Shyam College of Education, concluded today in the college premises, in which students participated enthusiastically.
During the sports week, various events were organised including Cricket, Volleyball, Badminton, 100 meter race, Long jump, Tug-of-War, etc.
On the valedictory function, Chairman of the college, CL Tickoo, was the chief guest, who presented the awards to the winners in presence of Usha Tickoo, Principal, faculty members and students.
While speaking, he appreciated the leadership qualities and spirit exhibited by the participants. He also threw light on the importance of sports and impressed upon the students to participate in the games, to keep their body mentally and physically fit.
Earlier, Usha Tickoo, Principal, presented the welcome address and gave the overview of the activities carried out during the sports week.
In Cricket, Team A headed by Bharat Bhushan was declared winner whereas in Volleyball, Group A headed by Ankit Kumar emerged victorious. In Badminton, Sheetal claimed the title trophy whereas in 100 meter race, Pradeep, Mukesh and Vinod were adjudged as first, second and third respectively in boys category.
In girls 100 meter race, Reena, Mamta and Sheetal stood first, second and third respectively, whereas in Long jump, Pradeep secured first position, while Kartik and Mukesh clinched second and third positions respectively.
In Kho-Kho, Team A headed by Ankit Kumar was winner in boys category whereas in girls category, Team B headed by Reena emerged victorious. In Tug-of-War, Team B headed by Vinod Kumar was declared as winner.
The sports week was organised under the supervision of Anita Gupta and Megha Gupta, Games Incharge.