In a thrilling culmination to the Inter-District Provincial Level (IDPL) Under-19 Boys Football Tournament, the District Srinagar team emerged victorious after edging out hosts Baramulla with a nail-biting score of 3-2 in the grand finale held at St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School, Baramulla.
The day began with high-intensity semifinal clashes. In the first semifinal, Baramulla showcased tactical dominance to defeat Kupwara by 3-1, while the second semifinal saw a disciplined Srinagar side overpower Ganderbal with a clean 2-0 win, securing their spot in the final.
The third-place match later in the evening featured Ganderbal and Kupwara in a fierce contest that went down to the wire, ending in a penalty shootout where Ganderbal clinched the third position with nerves of steel.
As the sun dipped behind the mountains, the grand finale lit up the field. With passionate crowd support and electrifying on-field action, Srinagar held their composure and outclassed Baramulla in a tightly contested battle that ended 3-2, lifting the prestigious IDPL Under-19 Boys Football Trophy 2025.
The closing ceremony was graced by Zahoor Ahmad Wani, District Youth Services & Sports Officer Baramulla, who applauded the spirited performances of all participating teams. In his address, he emphasized the role of sports in youth empowerment, character building, and drug de-addiction. He extended heartfelt congratulations to Team Srinagar and commended the host district Baramulla for organizing the competition in a professional and vibrant manner.
With the successful conclusion of the Under-19 category, all eyes are now on the upcoming IDPL Under-14 Boys Football Tournament, which is scheduled to kick off tomorrow at the same venue, continuing the spirit of sportsmanship and inter-district camaraderie.