36th JK UT Senior Volleyball Championship in full swing, QFs stage drawn

By statetimes_editor Last updated Dec 15, 2024

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: The 36th JK UT Senior Volleyball Championship for both Men and Women is in full swing, attracting volleyball enthusiasts and sports lovers alike.
The championship, organized by the Volleyball Association of J&K (VAJK) in collaboration with the J&K Sports Council, is being held at the MA Stadium Jammu and the Playfield Shastri Nagar Jammu. After several exciting matches, the quarter-finals (QFs) have now been drawn.

President VAJK, Sidharth Daluja felicitating State Times senior reporter Sanjay Sharma and other media persons; Participating women teams posing with officials; Volleyball match in progress on second day of 36th JK UT Senior Volleyball Championship.

Women’s Section: Udhampur defeated Poonch 2-0 with set scores of 25-17 and 25-22; Jammu cruised past Budgam 2-0, winning 25-7 and 25-16; Srinagar triumphed over Baramulla 2-0, with set scores of 25-18 and 25-23; and Samba outclassed Rajouri 2-0, winning 25-19 and 25-19.
Men’s Section: Jammu defeated Samba 2-0, with set scores of 25-20 and 25-16; Anantnag beat Udhampur 2-0, securing 25-21 and 26-24 victories; JK Police dominated Baramulla 2-0 with comfortable wins of 25-10 and 25-17; and Poonch triumphed over Kupwara 2-0, winning 25-11 and 25-15.
A total of 30 matches were played on the second day of the championship-20 matches in the men’s section and 10 in the women’s section-on a league-cum-knockout basis.
The day was filled with exciting rallies, powerful spikes, and well-executed services, keeping the spectators on the edge of their seats.
Many of the players showcased exceptional talent, and several have represented Jammu & Kashmir UT in national and international tournaments.
Among the standout players was Mannat Choudhary, an international volleyball player who represented India in the AVC Cup held in Thailand. Hailing from the border area of RS Pura, Mannat is playing for the Jammu District Team. Another key player is Mahir Wani, who represented India in the Under-18 Asian Volleyball Championship 2024 in Bahrain. Mahir is playing for the Srinagar District Team in the ongoing championship.
As part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Volleyball Association of J&K, the association honoured Jammu-based electronic and print media personalities for their valuable contribution to sports journalism.
The President of VAJK, Sidharth Daluja, along with other office bearers, felicitated the media representatives for their continuous support in promoting sports events across the region.
The championship has received full support from various organizations, including the J&K Excise Department, J&K Bank, Chenab Valley Power Project Ltd., Yes Bank, LIC, JK Public School Management and State Times. Their contributions have played a significant role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the championship.
The day-long event was graced by several prominent dignitaries from the sports fraternity. These included Kuldip Magotra (CEO, Volleyball Association of J&K), HS Gill (Executive Vice President), Raj Guru (Senior Vice President), Abdul Ahad Shah (Vice President), Vijay Kumar Magotra (Honorary General Secretary), R.C Sharma (Treasurer), Mohd. Tariq (Joint Secretary), Rajiv Dogra (Head Technical Committee), Mulkhraj (Volleyball Coach), Prateek Kumar (SAI Volleyball Coach), and other office bearers, coaches, and supporters of various teams.
Today’s matches were officiated by a panel of recognized national referees, including Neeraj Sharma, Aliyas, Amit Sharma, Sat Pal, Intezar Ali, Ashima, and D.K Raina. Their expertise ensures fair play and high standards throughout the competition.
The 3-day championship is set to conclude on 15th December 2024 at 4:00 PM at MA Stadium Jammu. The remaining matches will determine the finalists, with the winners advancing to the semi-finals. The tournament continues to attract large crowds of volleyball enthusiasts, eager to witness top-tier performances from some of the best players in the region.
The 36th JK UT Senior Volleyball Championship has once again proven to be a platform for showcasing local talent and honouring the spirit of volleyball in Jammu & Kashmir.
With the support of the community and organizations, the championship is poised to become one of the region’s most significant sporting events.