As part of the ongoing 100-Day Nasha Mukt J&K Campaign, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, inaugurated the Unity Cup 2026 today at Sports Stadium, Anantnag. The Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by ADC, ACR, Secretary MCA, stadium management staff, ex Chairman MCA and other concerned officials.
The inaugural ceremony also witnessed participation from local cricket players, sports enthusiasts, and a large gathering of general public including youth. The mega cricket tournament is being organised by District Administration in collaboration with local associations and business houses.
With 64 teams competing for the glory, SH Stars and MCC Janglat Mandi locked horns in the opening match. Expressing great satisfaction over the resumption of sports activities at this historic venue, the DC called the cricket tournament "an apt opportunity" to engage youth and allow them to showcase their talent at a bigger level.
He said that there had been a persistent demand from the youth and civil society to expedite the renovation work on the playfield and restore it for hosting sports events. "In response to this, the upgradation process was expedited and today a grand cricket tournament in which a number of premium teams are participating, has been kicked off", he noted.
Interacting with the participants, the DC said that under the banner of Nasha Mukt J&K Campaign recently launched by the Lieutenant Governor, sports activities are being promoted across the district. He informed that thousands of activities including sports events have been organized during this initiative so far, drawing overwhelming participation from all sections of society.
On the occasion, Dr. Bilal highlighted the importance of sports in fostering discipline, teamwork, and resilience among youth adding that sports serve as a powerful medium to channel their energy towards positive and constructive directions.
He emphasized that sports do not just provide entertainment but also serve as a powerful tool to promote healthy and drug free lifestyle, as well as building character and leadership values among the players. "Youth who are active in sports excel in their studies, maintain sound health, and most importantly, stay away from social evils like drug abuse", he said.
Appreciating the development of exceptional sports stadiums at Bijbehara, Seer Hamdan, Mattan and Dooru, the DC assured that the administration is fully focused on bridging infrastructure gaps and developing similar amenities at other places.
He announced that a significant portion of this year's CAPEX budget has been allocated to upgrade sports facilities, with key interventions like installation of high-quality floodlights, procurement of rollers for pitch maintenance, development of standard turf wickets, and construction of spectator stands for the public, proposed for the purpose.
Reiterating the administration's vision for inclusive sports, the DC maintained that the focus is not restricted to cricket alone and other sports like football, volleyball and indoor games are also being promoted to allow athletes compete as per their interests and skills.
"Two brand-new indoor courts are being developed this year to cater to indoor volleyball, badminton, and other sports, ensuring that athletes get access to top-notch infrastructure within the district", he remarked. The players and local athletes expressed their gratitude to the district administration for it's sustained efforts in boosting the sports ecosystem in the district.