Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan, today inaugurated the 56th Junior Artistic and 26th Rhythmic National Championship at M A stadium, Jammu.The National Championship, first of its kind in the Union Territory, is being organized by Gymnastics Association of Jammu and Kashmir under the aegis of J&K Sports Council.Around 600 players, officials and coaches from 27 states of the country are taking part in this five day national championship.Member Parliament, Jugal Kishore Sharma and Mayor, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Chander Mohan Gupta were the guests of honour on the occasion.Secretary J&K Sports Council, Nuzhat Gul; Chairman organizing Committee, Rajesh Gupta; President Gymnastics Association J&K, Engineer Kiran Wattal; President Gymnastics Federation of India, Sudhir Mittal and Presidents and General Secretaries of different associations were present on the occasion.Advisor Farooq Khan said that it is proud moment for Jammu and Kashmir to host National Championship of this magnitude in Jammu.
This will further help in promoting sports culture in JKUT besides providing perfect platform to the players here to further hone up their talent, he added.Advisor appealed all the participating players to be ambassadors of peace and prosperity prevailing in this part of the country to their home states.Farooq Khan said that such events will help the players to upgrade their sports skills for Olympics to win more and more medals for the UT.Advisor lauded the gymnastic association and sports council for holding this national level tournament.President J&K Gymnastic Association expressed gratitude to JK government for providing requisite facilities for hosting such a grand championship in the UT.Earlier, Secretary Sports Council presented account of achievements and activities of the gymnastics besides highlighting national medalists.Meanwhile, Jugal Kishor Sharma announced Rs. 1 crore for raising one more multipurpose hall in the stadium.General Secretary, J&K Gymnastic Association, Ravinder Singh, presented vote of thanks.