Doda, Oct 8: The Inter-District Divisional Level Kho-Kho Tournament for Under-19 Boys commenced today at the Sports Stadium Doda and will continue till Oct 8, marking the second phase of the ongoing inter-district series.

Earlier, the Under-17 tournament was successfully conducted from October 3 to Oct 5. The event is being organized under the direction of Director General Youth Services and Sports, J&K Anuradha Gupta and the guidance of Joint Director YSS Jammu Vinakshi Koul with active cooperation from the District Administration Doda and support of the J&K Sports Council.
The tournament is being held under the overall supervision of District Youth Services and Sports Officer Jaffar Haider Sheikh.
At the inaugural ceremony, the DYSSO warmly welcomed all participating contingents, officials and team managers. “Notwithstanding intermittent rainfall, the department has made adequate arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the tournament” he assured.
Addressing the players, he emphasized the importance of sportsmanship and discipline, stating that winning and losing are part of the game, but participation with honesty and team spirit truly defines a sportsperson.
The opening day featured a lively march past by participating teams, creating a vibrant and competitive atmosphere at the stadium.
The tournament aims to promote the traditional Indian sport of Kho-Kho, while identifying and nurturing young talent capable of representing the region at higher levels. It also provides a platform for student players to showcase endurance, teamwork and coordination, fostering unity among youth from different districts. The Department of Youth Services and Sports, Doda, reiterated its commitment to encouraging physical fitness, discipline and sports excellence across the district.