Anantnag, April 21: To promote sports among youth and realise the goal of a drug free society through Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat today visited Sports Stadium Bijbehara and inaugurated South Kashmir Cricket Cup.

He was accompanied by ADC, ACR, SDM and Tehsildar Bijbehara, renowned cricketer, Parvez Rasool and other officials. Local cricket stars besides a large number of youth and spectators were present during the inaugural ceremony.
The tournament is being organised by District Administration in collaboration with local industries and cricket associations. With 48 teams competing for glory, JCC Tahab and The Elite Shamsipora played the inaugural match, marking the commencement of a major sports initiative.
On the occasion, the DC administered Nasha Mukt pledge to the gathering, urging them to actively contribute towards eliminating the menace of drug abuse from society. The initiative seeks to engage youth in positive activities and channelise their energy in a meaningful and constructive manner, he remarked.
Interacting with the players and other participants, the DC highlighted the vital role of sports in promoting discipline, teamwork, competitive spirit and resilience especially among the youth. He said the district has great advantage to have the services of well recognised sports stars mentoring and guiding youth to develop into better athletes as well as responsible citizens. He advised participants to stay away from drugs and act as role models and ambassadors of the NMJK Campaign and spread awareness against the substance abuse.
The DC retierated that the fight against drug menace requires collective efforts and emphasized the importance of community participation, especially the involvement of youth, in making the campaign successful. He said sports and games have great potential to inculcate the values of hardwork, discipline, leadership, perseverance and patience ultimately leading to a healthy and drug free society. He called upon the youth to fully utilise the opportunity and develop into better athletes and responsible citizens while learning discipline and sports etiquettes from the local stars.
Highlighting the role of NMJK Abhiyan, the DC said that a 100 day intensive campaign has been launched to create mass awareness about the ill effects of drug abuse and engage youth in sports and other constructive activities. He noted that a multi pronged strategy has been adopted and the vulnerable groups are particularly sensitised so the objectives of a healthy and drug free district, UT and country are realised.
Cautioning about the ill effects of drug abuse, the DC said that addiction not only destroys the life and career of individuals but has devastating consequences on social and moral fabric of families and society. It is therefore every citizen's moral and civic responsibility to contribute to the cause of a drug free society in one's personal, official and professional capacity, he stressed. He assured the administration is committed to provide better sports infrastructure and other necessary facilities for boosting sports ecosystem besides facilitatitating smooth conduct of such events in the district.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students and sports enthusiasts, who appreciated the administration’s efforts in fostering a culture of sports and social responsibility. They affirmed to fully utilise such platforms for amplifying the message of NMJK Campaign and developing into better athletes and citizens.