: With the target to include around 14 lakh youth in the Phase-II of ‘My Youth My Pride’ programme after the successful completion of Phase-I which witnessed participation of around 9 lakh youth across J&K, the programme is a massive hit among the sporting circles of J&K.

In the Jammu division, hundreds of players participated in the events held for Gymnastics, Football, Hockey Judo, yoga, Boxing, and Cricket in the Kathua Stadium and Indoor Sports Complex Billawar in the Kathua district.

Spectators in large numbers kept visiting the venues throughout the day and visitors demanded the inclusion of more sports disciplines in the programme for the district.

In the Kashmir division, a number of competitions were held in North Kashmir’s Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora districts under the program though the 28th Master’s Table Tennis Championship being held in Sheri-Kashmir Indoor Stadium has entered day-3.

More than 400 matches were played in the championship today. Finals in many categories of the championship were in progress when the report was being filed.

In Baramulla, the bouts in Thang-Ta were held in Khushal Stadium Sopore and the finals of Kho-Kho were held in Uri. Government Higher Secondary Uri clinched the title by beating Government Middle School Uri in a very close-fought contest.

Ghulam Abbas, Deputy Director, Information presided over the function as chief guest.

While interacting with the players he said that events like these help in scouting the talent and organizing matches helps to bring talent to the fore and it is indeed an achievement for which the organizing body deserves all applause.

Events for Badminton and Carrom were held in Baramulla Main Stadium. Similarly, many sports activities kept the stadiums in limelight with the massive gathering of sports lovers and supporters thronging the venues to witness the matches and root for their players.

District Kupwara hosted a Table Tennis event which was played in Kupwara Hr. Sec School. Weightlifting and Judo events were held in Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium Bandipora while Boxing was held in Indoor Hall Shadipora, and Pencak Silat in Sumbal.

In South Kashmir, Pulwama hosted Rugby and Soft Tennis matches in Pulwama Sports Stadium while the Indoor Hall of Rajpora was lit with Thang-Ta, Weightlifting, and Yoga activities.

The vision to use the power of sports to prevent crime and drug abuse among youth is the main theme of Phase II of the program in addition to scouting and grooming talent said, Dr. Zaffar Iqbal Chief Accounts Officer J&K Sports Council.