Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh today inaugurated "Oorja" by CAPF U/19 Football Talent hunt tournament for Boys and Girls phase-II organized by Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), here at Jammu University.Minister of State for Education, Culture and Floriculture Priya Sethi, Vice Chancellor Jammu University R. D. Sharma and Senior Leader Yudhvir Sethi were also present on the occasion.Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Jammu Sector is organizing "OORJA 2017 CAPFs U-19 Football Talent Hunt Tournament" in collaboration with Jammu University, a Prime Minister Initiative in the second phase from June 12 to June 17, 2017. P. K. Gupta, Deputy Inspector General, FHQ SSB New Delhi, Manvendra, Deputy Inspector General, Ajay Kumar, Commandant, Vijay Singh Jamwal, Second-In-Command, N. S. Negi, JAO, Barjeet Singh, Deputy Commandant, Sanjeev Kumar, Deputy Commandant, Kashtoori Lal, Deputy Commandant, Rajeev Kumar, Deputy Commandant, Jeet Lal, Deputy Commandant and other officer were also present in the opening ceremony.Deputy Chief Minister in his address observed that there is tremendous sports talent among the boys and girls of the state as well as country and hoped that, with the availability of improved facilities and increasing opportunities, they will excel in all sports and games.
He said that if their talent is nurtured and adequately groomed, there shall be no reason for many of them to shine at national and international level in all games and sports disciplines in the coming years.He said that time has come for the youth of J&K to demonstrate their talent and bring laurels to the State in the various sports events at the national and international levels.While lauding the armed forces for their discipline, Priya Sethi advised the youths to be disciplined to achieve excellence in life. She said the country has no dearth of talented youths and, if given appropriate platform the young talents could shine in any field of sports. She asked the youth to turn to sports to remain away from social evils like drug abuse and smoking.Earlier, Dy. Inspector General Manvendra welcomed the gathering and said that the event has been organized with an objective to give an opportunity to every child of the country to play football. The legacy programme of FIFA U-17 World cup "Mission XI million" has been planned to take the game of football to at least 11 million boys and girls across the country, this tournament has engaged over 12500 young U/19 boys and girls with more than 1200 matches being played during the course of 3 months and the 3 phases, easily becoming the largest sporting event ever organised by the CAPFs.
The tournament is being organized in 03 phases enlisting separate matches for boys and girls. First phase has already been conducted from 7th to 15th May 2017 at different states by respective CAPFs and second phase is being in progress at Jammu.In the first phase State/UT wise responsibility of CAPFs has been assigned to conduct the event. Out of the 36 States/UTs SSB has conduct the first phase matches in 04 states including Assam , Bihar, HP & UP , consisting of 08 teams each of boys and girls from every State.kJpon conclusion of first phase one combined team both for boys and girls from every state has been selected for participation in second phase.Giving the background of the tournament Manvendra, Informed that total 12 Football teams, six each of boys and girls of various states will participate in the 2" phase of the tournament. Total 6 teams each of Boys & Girls from all over India will be selected for the third phase of the event. In the third phase selected teams will be grouped into two pools and will play with each team of the pool on league basis (total 20 matches). Top teams of both the pools will fight in the final match of 3"1 phase.
The winner team will be the national champion of Prime Minister Football tournament under-19 (boys & girls).Topper team of second phase i.e. 06 teams will qualify for the third phase. Third phase matches will be conducted at Delhi.Manvendra, Dy. Inspector General further said that it is privileged to have among us one eminent player Miss Tajamul Islam, Brand Ambassador. A Cub named "Gabru" is the mascot for the tournament which epitomizes unbridled energy, youthful exuberance, zest for life and incredible desire for success and achievements.The prizes for second phase are Rs. 100,000 /-for winner team, Rs. 60,000 /- for Runners up and Rs. 40,000 /- for third place. A running Trophy will be rewarded to the winner in the second phase in addition, there will be trophies/prizes for best player of the tournament.On the occasion Sashastra Seema Bal troops presented a Cultural programme.