KULGAM, OCTOBER 03: Minister for Social Welfare, Education, Health & Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today presided over a felicitation ceremony organized under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) for top performer teams of various Girls Sports Tournaments and NEET Qualifiers of the district at Government Degree College, Kulgam.

The ceremony was organized by the Social Welfare Department Kulgam in collaboration with Sports, Higher Education and other departments of district administration with the objective of celebrating the achievements of girls in sports and academics, promoting the message of women empowerment.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister highlighted the importance of empowering women and girls through education, sports, skill development and awareness. She also emphasized the need to create greater awareness among women and girls about various government schemes and welfare initiatives being implemented by different departments for their benefit.
Sakeena Itoo stressed that participation in sports helps girls develop confidence, discipline, leadership qualities and teamwork while providing them opportunities to showcase their talent at different levels.
Director General ICDS Sajad Hussain Ganie, DPO Zaheer Ahmad Kaifi, ACR Kulgam Reyaz Ahmad Shah and District Social Welfare Officer Kulgam Rameez Ahmad Ganie, also addressed the gathering. They spoke on women empowerment, education, sports participation and initiatives available for women and girls.
The programme witnessed participation of girls, officials, sports personnel, students and other stakeholders. The speakers appreciated the efforts being made to provide girls with opportunities in sports and education and encouraged them to pursue their aspirations with confidence.
As part of the felicitation ceremony, medals and trophies were presented to the winners and runners-up of the Girls Basketball, Volleyball, Football, Cricket and Badminton tournaments organized at the Inter-Block and Inter-Municipality levels under BBBP in the district while 20 girls from District Kulgam who qualified NEET were also felicitated with certificates.
Earlier, the Minister inaugurated the Inter-District UT-Level U-17 Girls Netball Tournament at Shri Nazir Ahmad Wani Higher Secondary School Kulgam. The tournament, organized by the Directorate of Youth Services & Sports, J&K and hosted by YSS Kulgam, is witnessing participation of eight districts of the Union Territory, providing young sportspersons an opportunity to showcase their talent and gain competitive exposure.