Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar today emphasized the need for a balanced convergence of academics and sports in government schools to meet this essential requirement of modern education system.“Unfortunately our state has lagged behind in the convergence of sports with academics and this needs special attention,” Naeem said after declaring open 2-day Interschool Volleyball Tournament here at Government Model Higher Secondary School (GMHSS) Sunjwan.Teams of eight schools of Jammu district are participating in the tournament being organized by 160 Battalion of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Simrandeep Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, Dr Sunil Gupta, Commandant 160 Battalion of CRPF, Surinder Mehra, the school staff and students attended the ceremony.Highlighting the importance of sports for the overall personality development of the students, the Minister called upon the school administration to make best use of the infrastructure including the huge stadium developed in the school to engage students in sports alongside academics. “It is a beautiful sight to see young children dressed in uniforms going and coming out of the school. It is also pleasing to see them playing in the playfield.
This school has been endowed with all the facilities to achieve this tacit convergence of academics and sports,” Naeem said while referring to massive building infrastructure including well-equipped laboratories and a modern stadium developed in the school in last one and a half year.The Minister said government is also contemplating to create facilities for night sports in the school stadium by installing high mast lights and other related equipment. He said for this the help of State Sports Council is being sought.“With these facilities, the stadium of the school would become a hub of sports activities attracting not only the sportsmen of this area but from across the Jammu city”, the Minister hoped.He welcomed the initiative of the CRPF for organizing the sports events under its civic action programme to provide youth of the state a platform to exhibit their talent.The opening match of the tournament was played between Government Model Higher Secondary School Sunjwan and Jagriti Shiksha Kendra Jourian.Other schools participating in the tournament are Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Akhnoor, JK Public School Kunjwani, GHSS Mandal, SNS School Jeevan Nagar, BSF School Paloura and GHSS Bhour Camp.