Srinagar : The J&K contingent for the 37th National Games to be held at Goa from 26th October to 9th November was flagged off from the twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar on wednesday. While some members of the contingent were flagged off from Moulana Azad Stadium Jammu by the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, the team comprising of Pencak Silat, Water Sports, and Yogasana Sports participants were flagged off by Director General Budget J&K, Mohammad Yaqoob Itoo from Bakshi Stadium Srinagar. Around 190 athletes of J&K shall contend for the medals in 18 disciplines during the national games at Goa.
The Divisional Commissioner Rakesh Kumar in his address to the contingent remarked that the National Games is one of the prestigious and major events of our national sports calendar and forms the core of the talent pool of the country simultaneously providing an opportunity to the participants to prove their mettle and pave way for the international events. “Hard work, dedication, and discipline are the qualities of great sportspersons and I am sure our athletes will inculcate these qualities and bring laurels to J&K’’, Rakesh Kumar added.
The Director General Budget, Mohammad Yaqoob Itoo while interacting with the participants said that the athletes from J&K are second to none and it has been proved time and again. Itoo also said that now that more and more facilities have been put in place, our athletes by way of their hard work and perseverance have converted the tag of pretenders to contenders.
The Divisional Kashmir Jammu was flanked by Kulbir Handa, SP North Jammu City who also congratulated the selected athletes and wished them best of luck for the mega event.
The Secretary J&K Sports Council, Nuzhat Gull while interacting with the participants during the flag-off ceremony at the Bakshi Stadium asked them to trust their abilities and hard work and give their best during the games without worrying about the outcome of the result, adding that when efforts are sincere results are bound to come.
The member, of J&K Sports Council, Ranjeet Kalra was also present in the flag-off ceremony held at Jammu and he highlighted the efforts being made by the Sports Council both in terms of infrastructure and coaching support to the athletes.
Kalra also conveyed the good wishes to the contingent on behalf of the Lieutenant Governor and the President of the Sports Council Manoj Sinha as well as the Advisor and Vice President J&K Sports Council, R.R Bhatnagar, Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports Department Sarmad Hafeez and Secretary Sports Council Nuzhat Gull.
Meanwhile, during the flag-off ceremony in Srinagar, Joint Director Budget, Shafat Yahya; Dr. Zaffar Iqbal, Chief Accounts Officer; Muzaffar Hussain Wani Divisional Sports officer (K), Jehangir Mir, PRO along with Bilquees Mir, Director Water Sports; Mohammad Iqbal, Syed Shafqat and Shabir Dar and other officials also attended the function while member Sports Council, Bhanu Pratap Singh along with Chief Sports Officer, Mohammad Hanief; Divisional Sports Officer (J), Baljinder Pal Singh, Naveen Sharma alongwith other officials present in Jammu district were also present during the ceremony.
ADVERTISEMENT