JAMMU: Jammu boys dominated the opening day winning both their league matches in the three-day 28th J and K State Volleyball (boys and girls) Championship, organised by Volleyball Association of J and K in collaboration with J and K State Sports Council, at MA Stadium, here today.
In their first outing, Jammu boys with their brilliant performance outplayed Udhampur in straight 2-0 (25-17, 25-07) sets and later trounced Budgam in similar fashions 2-0 (25-11, 25-08) sets. In the three-day mega event 16 teams from boys and ten teams from girls section from different districts of J and K State i.e Poonch, Rajouri, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Jammu, Ramban, Srinagar, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Baramulla, Shopian and Bandipora are taking part.
The championship is on league-cum-knockout basis as per Volleyball Federation of India’s rules. The organisers have made elaborate arrangement for smooth conduct of the championship i.e boarding and lodging etc.
In all nearly 400 players/officials are actively involved in the championship.
Earlier, the tournament was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Director General of Police, Law and Order, Dr S.P Vaid in the presence of Guest of Honour, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu Zone, Danesh Rana, Special Guest, Prof Keshav Sharma, Registrar University of Jammu, Patron-in-Chief of Volleyball Association of J and K, Raj Daluja, President of the Association, Sidharth Daluja and other dignitaries by releasing balloons in the sky. Raj Daluja welcomed the Chief Guest while Sidharth Daluja welcomed Guest of Honour by presenting bouquet to them on their arrival.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest underlined the importance of sports in nation building specially in moulding the youth of the State in various constructive activities with special reference to Kashmir Valley youths. He also expressed his pleasure to see the participating teams from Kashmir Valley and hailed the initiatives of the organisers. He said that youth of the State have enormous potential which needs to be explored and nurtured in the right direction and the efforts are underway to provide environment to channelise energy of youth towards nation building.
He said special attention is being given to provide better facilities to the budding sportspersons and foster their talent so that they can compete at national and international level. He complemented the players for taking part in the tournament and wished them success.
The Chief Guest was also introduced by all the office bearers of Volleyball Association of J and K. In his welcome address, Vijay Kumar Magotra, General Secretary of Association, gave brief account of the championship and also apprised about elaborate arrangements of boarding/lodging made by the association.
“The championship would provide an opportunity to sports lovers in general and volleyball lovers in particular to witness the latest techniques of volleyball game,” he said.
The contingent of all districts teams took part in march past and the captain of host Jammu girls team Ravinder Kour administered pledge to all participating players on the occasion. Prominent persons present on the occasion included S Rangil Singh, President J and K Olympic Association, Dr. Ashutosh General Secretary J and K Olympic Association, Shiv Kumar Sharma Joint Secretary, J and K State Sports Council, Executive Vice President, H.S Gill, President Volleyball Association Udhampur, Raj Guru, Chief Executive Officer Kuldip Magotra, General Secretary V.K Magotra, Treasurer R.C Sharma, Chairman Shaheed Manjeet Singh Volleyball Club Poonch Mohd Tariq Khan and President Kathua District Volleyball Association, M.L Toofan.
The matches were officiated by Amarjeet Singh, Mulkh Raj Sharma, Neeraj Sharma (VFI qualified referees), Wasim Raja, Amit Sharma, Ilyas khan, Shafqat, Azhar Aziz, Naresh Sharma, Imtiaz, Sher Singh, Rajinder Pal Singh and Akbar Ali.
The detailed results:
BOYS: Kathua beat Shopian 2-0 (25-19, 25-18); Jammu beat Udhampur 2-0 (25-17, 25-07); Samba beat Ramban 2-0 (25-18, 25-18), Baramula beat Poonch 2-0 (25-22, 25-234; Rajouri beat Bandipora 2-0 (27-25, 25-19); Gandarbal beat Budgam 2-0 (25-11, 25-18); Pulwama beat Anantnag 2-0 (25-19, 25-20); Jammu beat Budgam 2-0 (25-11, 25-08); Ganderbal beat Udhampur 2-1 (23-25, 25-14, 15-13); Pulwama beat Anantnag 2-0 (25-19, 25-20); Kathua beat Rajouri 2-0 (25-08, 25-20); Samba beat Srinagar 2-0 (25-23, 26-24); Baramula beat Anantnag 2-0 (25-11, 25-13); Shopian beat Bandipora 2-1 (25-15, 23-25, 15-10); Kulgam beat Ramban 2-1 (21-25, 25-23, 15-13); and Pulwana beat Poonch 2-1 (26-24, 19-25, 15-09).
GIRLS: Srinagar beat Poonch 2-0 (25-15, 25-11); Samba beat Udhampur 2-0 (25-18, 25-22); Jammu beat Budgam 2-0 (25-07, 25-12); Kathua beat Pulwma 2-0 (25-05, 25-10); Srinagar beat Ganderbal 2-0 (25-13, 25-16); Baramula beat Kathua
2-0 (25-13, 25-19); and Baramula beat Pulwama 2-0 (25-5, 25-19).