Complimenting the organisers and the organisations that play a pivotal role in successful conduct of mega sports events in Jammu and Kashmir, Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez, today said that Jammu and Kashmir is emerging as a sporting hub and the Government is committed to promote sports in every nook and corner of the Union Territory.

He said this during the closing ceremony of 37th Sub Junior National Softball Championship held at MA Stadium here today. He declared the games closed.

Present on the occasion were Director General Youth Services and Sports, Rajinder Singh Tara, Secretary J&K Sports Council, Nuzhat Gul and a galaxy of dignitaries.

Sarmad Hafeez said that J&K Sports Council has organised 16 nationals during the year, adding that the Department of Youth Services and Sports has hosted historic four National School Games on the trot in Jammu.

Appreciating the participants for showing discipline, sporting spirit and preserving sanctity of sports and games, Sarmad Hafeez termed the athletes as future sporting stars of the nation. He said that such events apart from helping the youth to showcase their sporting talent, help them not to derail from the mainstream. 

Terming the participants as ambassadors of the nation, Sarmad Hafeez said that sporting extravaganzas like this help the participants to make new friends, exchange culture and language and build camaraderie.

Earlier, getting the better of their rivals in their respective summit clashes, the formidable teams of Madhya Pradesh and Telangana lifted the title trophies, thus winning Gold medals while Jammu and Kashmir won Silver medal in boys and Bronze medal in girls in the 37th Sub Junior National Softball Championship, organised by Softball Association of Jammu and Kashmir, under the auspices of Softball Association of India and J&K Sports Council.

In the boys section, Madhya Pradesh defeated J&K in the finals by eight homes to six (8-2) to win the title, while Andhra Pradesh claimed the 3rd place.

In the girls category, Telangana drubbed Andhra Pradesh by (5-2). in the finals to win the title, while the third place went to Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, in Baseball-5 boys, Kerala won Gold, Madhya Pradesh Silver and Chhattisgarh claimed Bronze while in Baseball-5 girls, Jammu bagged Gold medal, Kerala won Silver and the Bronze medal was bagged by Madhya Pradesh.

On the occasion, Sarmad Hafeez and other dignitaries honoured the medal winning teams with trophies and medals. He also felicitated technical officials and those who helped in conduct of this mega event in a most befitting manner.