Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 18: Minister for Roads & Buildings, Abdul Majid Wani today declared open 24th Senior National Fencing Championship-2013 men and women at Indoor Sports Complex, MA Stadium, here today.
The 5-day sports event has been organized by J&K Amateur Fencing Association in collaboration with J&K State Sports Council.
As many as 32 teams including host team, from across the country, comprising 800 participants including supporting staff are taking part in the tourney.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister highlighted the importance of sports and said that these inculcate sense of team spirit, discipline, self- confidence, quick decision making power, besides keeping the body and mind fit which are the basic requirements for living a successful life.
Mr. Wani lauded the efforts of organizers for organizing the national event of fencing sport for the first time in the State. He said organizing such national events provide an opportunity to the sportsmen to exchange ideas and experience with their counterparts in different parts of the country. He said that the sports also act as means for exchange of cultural ethos and strengthening the camaraderie among youth. He said that the participants from other states would play role of ambassadors for the State and disseminate the message of peace, brotherhood and communal harmony prevailing in the State.
The Minister said that youth of Jammu and Kashmir have enough talent and potential, which needs to be channelized and polished in a befitting manner. He said that the Government has launched various programmes for the promotion of sports in the state by developing new projects and up-grading existing sports infrastructure.
Mr. Wani said that though the age of fencing sports is less but its ace players have brought laurels to the State by winning 236 medals of various categories at national and international tourneys.
Earlier, the Minister was introduced with the participating players. The minister declared the event open by lighting theceremonial lamp. He was also presented a memento as a mark of respect on the occasion.
Among others, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu, Director General, of Youth Services and Sports, Navin Aggarwal, Secretary, J&K State Sport Council, Dalip Thussu, president, J&K Amateur Fencing Association, M J Sharma, besides sports lovers were present on the occasion.
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