Director Youth Services and Sports, Gazanfar Ali along with District Development Commissioner (DDC), Anuradha Gupta today inaugurated the annual athletic meet here at an impressive and well attended opening function held in Sports Stadium Samba.The dignitaries formally declared the event open by lighting the ceremonial lamp.The athletic extravaganza, in which 1008 student athletes, including 548 girls are taking part, is being organized by the District Youth Services and Sports Office Samba, under the overall supervision of DYSSO Samba, Kiran Jyoti.The budding athletes are being guided by a panel of experts drawn from the field staff of the Department of Youth Services and Sports.
Speaking on the occasion, both the dignitaries laid stress on participation of all youth in sports and nation building.The Director Sports said that sports and allied activities are the best medium to help youth not to fall prey to drugs and other social evils, thus helping them not to derail from the mainstream.He said such events are very important to keep check on the drug menace in the society.
"Sports builds camaraderie and provides opportunity to youth to make friends and exchange culture” he added.On the participation of girls, the DDC Samba said that women empowerment is the need of the hour and events like this are the best step forward in that direction.On the occasion, Gazanfar Ali announced the one more stadium and a swimming pool for District Samba.Chief Education Officer Kathua, Omkar Sharma was also present on the occasion, who was instrumental in helping the organizers in mass participation of athletes drawn from different institutions.Earlier, Kiran Jyoti welcomed the dignitaries, guests and participating athletes for being part of this mega event.She advised the young athletes to demonstrate discipline and play with sporting spirit.Meanwhile, on the inaugural day of the event, Siddharth Sharma clinched gold in the Under-17 1500 meters race, while Sujal Chib and Charanjeet Singh claimed silver and bronze medals, respectively.