STATE TIMES NEWS
KISHTWAR: The 36th Kishtwar District Volleyball Championship, organized by the Volleyball Association of Jammu & Kashmir (VAJK) in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council, concluded on Friday at the Govt Model Higher Secondary (Girls) School in Kishtwar.
The two-day event, which was sponsored by Chenab Valley Power Projects Ltd (CVPP Ltd) and the Pakul Dul H.E Project, witnessed intense competition between local teams from various far-flung areas of Kishtwar.
In the final match, Drabshalla Volleyball Club A triumphed over Drabshalla Volleyball Club B with a 3-0 victory. The winning team dominated the match with set scores of 25-18, 26-24, and 25-19, securing their place as champions of the district.
The championship featured a total of eight teams from areas including Berra Bata, Drabshalla, Matta, Chatroo, and Paddar, with all teams showcasing their talent and competitive spirit.
The championship aimed not only to promote sportsmanship but also to encourage the youth of Kishtwar to engage in healthy activities and move away from social evils, including the growing problem of drug addiction in the region.
SSP Kishtwar, Javed Iqbal Mir, was the Chief Guest for the closing ceremony, while Sr. Manager of CVPPL, Raghunath Jhoor, Krishan Lal (Principal of the host school), also graced the occasion as Guest of Honour.
In his address, SSP Mir urged the youth to collaborate with government bodies, sports associations, NGOs, and civil society organizations in the fight against drug addiction, which he described as a serious threat to the youth of Jammu & Kashmir.
He also praised the efforts of the Volleyball Association of J&K office bearers Kuldeep Magotra CEO, V,K Magotra General Secretary, Ramesh Sharma Treasurer and local organisers for the successful conduct of the championship.
During the ceremony, prizes including trophies, medals, and sports kits were awarded to the winning and runner-up teams.
Drabshalla Volleyball A received the championship trophy, while Drabshalla Volleyball B was awarded the runner-up trophy.
The winners also earned a chance to represent the district in the upcoming 36th JKUT Volleyball Championship, which will be held from December 13 to 15, 2024, in Jammu.
Earlier in the tournament, the semifinals saw Drabshalla A defeat Matta Volleyball Club 2-0 (25-18, 25-17), while Drabshalla B overcame Berra Bata Volleyball Club with a similar 2-0 win (25-16, 25-16). The matches were officiated by a panel of technical experts including Mohd Irfan, Ishan Ahmed, Shahnawaz Mattoo, and Umar Zargar.
The event was a resounding success, bringing together the local community and fostering a spirit of unity and sportsmanship in the district.