STATE TIMES NEWS
BANIHAL: The 36th Ramban District Volleyball Championship commenced with great enthusiasm at PM Shri Government Higher Secondary School, Tethar, Banihal, marking a significant milestone in the promotion of volleyball in the region.
Organized by the Volleyball Association of J&K in collaboration with the J&K Sports Council, this event is the first of its kind in the Tathar village, where the Khelo India Center of the J&K Sports Council is also functioning.
A total of 12 teams from various areas of Ramban district, including Noora, Pogal, Wagan, Nowgam, Neel, Khari, Chareel, and others, are participating in the championship. The event has drawn significant attention, particularly from the Neel-Pogal areas of the Chenab Valley, where volleyball is gaining popularity among local youth.
The event was inaugurated by DSP Banihal, Manjeet Singh, who graced the occasion as the chief guest. He was joined by SHO Banihal, Aashiq Bukhari, a volleyball legend who has represented J&K in various National Volleyball Championships, as the guest of honor.
Kuldip Magotra, CEO of the Volleyball Association of J&K, provided an overview of the championship, which serves as a selection event for the District Ramban Volleyball team for the upcoming J&K UT Volleyball Championship in Jammu from December 13 to 15, 2024.
During the ceremony, SHO Aashiq Bukhari shared valuable insights on the sport, offering tips and encouragement to the players, urging them to elevate their skills and compete with excellence. He also commended the organizers for choosing Tathar, a remote village, to host the championship and raise awareness about important social issues such as drug de-addiction and youth empowerment.
The championship has attracted widespread local support, with 600 sports enthusiasts, including volleyball players, attending the event. Matches were played on a knockout basis, with 8 exciting games held on the opening day.
The results: Super Star Nora Volleyball Club beat Tathar Lions Volleyball Club 2-0 (25-18, 25-20); Naik Brothers Neel Volleyball Club beat Nowgam Warriors Volleyball Club 2-0 (25-19, 25-21); Monsters Spikers Khari beat Chareel Wolf Volleyball Club 2-0 (25-19, 25-22); Nivia Sports Volleyball Club Perhinder beat Junior Tigers Hills Club 2-0 (29-27, 25-22); Chenab Valley Sports Club beat Brothers Club Tulhal 2-0 (25-19, 25-21); Super Stars Noora beat Spikers Punch Pogal 2-1 (15-25, 25-23, 15-08); Monster Spikers Club beat Naik Brothers Neel 2-1 (18-25, 25-16, 15-08); Nivia Sports Club Prehinder beat Volley Vipers Pachal 2-0 (25-11, 25-10).
The semi-finals and final matches are set to take place on tomorrow, marking the culmination of the championship. Mujahid Hussain, Khalid Rasool Padder, Shah Nawaz Khan, Abid Sohil, and Farooq Ahmed Bhoru officiated the matches.
The championship not only showcases the rising talent in Ramban but also aims to encourage sportsmanship and teamwork among the youth, further promoting the Neel-Pogal areas as emerging hotspots for volleyball.