Minister for PWD, Floriculture, Gardens & Parks, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has said that sports have a pivotal role in building physical and mental health of the youth. He said that Jammu and Kashmir Police has been promoting sports in the State, besides performing its professional duties.The Minister was speaking at the prize distribution ceremony of cycle race “Pedal for Kashmir” organized by Jammu and Kashmir Police from Police Golf Course Boulevard Road here this morning. Around 3000 cyclists including cyclists of national and international repute, participated in the race.The flag off ceremony for different categories of the race started at 6.30 a.m. Cyclists of different categories had come to participate in the race. Also a huge gathering witnessed the race along its routes from Police Golf Course to various destinations. On the conclusion winners of different categories were awarded cash prizes, mementoes and certificates.
Addressing the participants at the function, the Minister thanked them for their participation in the event and said that the interest of the youth would encourage JKP to conduct such events in future also. He said that the department should organise various sports events in summer capital and other districts of the Valley during the summer season.Bukhari asked the police department to continue its efforts to inspire the youth of the State towards sports and for this purpose such events need to be held in all districts of the State. He said that sports person are showing much interest in such events and such efforts would promote sports culture and explore the hidden talent of youth in different disciplines.
Earlier, the Director General of Police, Mr. K. Rajendra Kumar, flagged off the Rally and thanked Mr. Altaf Bukhari for sparing his precious time. He lauded the role of Organizing Committee headed by ADGP (Armed), Mr. S. M. Sahai for having conducted the event in a befitting manner. He said that officers had put in a great effort and ensured participation of national and international cyclists. He also appreciated the arrangements made by district police, traffic and security wings en-route the race.Later, at the prize distribution ceremony Mr, Bukhari distributed cash prizes, certificates and mementoes among the position winners of various categories. In the Senior Men’s category, who were conferred with cash awards and trophies include Dilawar Singh, Mohammad Akbar Khan, Mohammad Adil Teli, Gh. Rasool Kawa and Hilal Ahmad Sofi.
In Junior Boy’s (under 19) category those who received the awards include Mohit Kumar, Wahid Ahmad Ganie, Amir Sadiq Gojri, Vipan Saini and Parvaiz Ahmad while as, Komal Ajay Deshmuk of Maharashtra, Bushra Ali, Novjout Kour, Insha Waddu and Sheraza Banoo were adjudged top five winners in Junior girl’s (under 19) category.In Sub-junior Boys (under 12) the top ten winners who received prizes for their outstanding performance during the event include Sohail Ahmad Dar, Arshid Faredi of Delhi, Sheikh Sakib, Showkat Ahmad, Mohmis Ismail, Abrar Ahmad, Bilal Ahmad Dar, Aqib Ahmad Gojri, Hashim Nabi and Abrar Hussain.The cyclists who topped Sub-junior (under-12) girl’s category include Shivani of Delhi, Rubab Ali, Shahida Jabeen, Nidhu Manzoor, Arjuman Hamid, Ifra Arooz, Hufza Ali, Nabia Nissar, Fiza Ahad and Farhad Nissar.
Among others, the flag off and prize distribution ceremony was attended by Vice Chairman Legislative Council, Jahangir Mir and LC, Member Kurshid Alam, ADsGP, Mr. SP Vaid, Mr. Dilbagh Singh and Mr. L. Mohnty, DG Sports and Youth services, Mir Jahagir, IsGP, AK Choudhary, HK Lohia, Deepak Kumar, SJM Geelani, Sunil Sharma, Alok Puri, Sunil Kumar, S. L Sharma, Jagjit Kumar, SA Watali and JP Singh, DIsGP, Alok Kumar and GH Bhat, President JKFA, Zamir Thakur, Vice President JKFA, Prof Bashir Ahmed and all Kashmir based Commandants Armed/IRP Battalions.