37th J&K UT Senior Volleyball Championship concludes
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The 37th Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory Senior Volleyball Championship concluded today with a grand finale, witnessing high-quality competition, enthusiastic participation, and a strong message of youth empowerment through sports.
Jammu District women’s team and Jammu & Kashmir Police (JKP) men’s team emerged as champions in their respective categories after thrilling final encounters.
In the women’s section, Jammu District displayed remarkable resilience and teamwork to defeat Udhampur District by 3-1 sets in an exciting final. After losing the opening set 22-25, Jammu bounced back strongly to claim the next three sets convincingly with scores of 25-11, 25-20, and 25-17, earning the championship title amid loud cheers from spectators.
The men’s final proved to be equally intense, as JKP outplayed Jammu District in a hard-fought contest. Jammu District took the first set 25-23, but JKP showed superior composure and tactical brilliance to win the next three sets 26-24, 25-20, and 25-12, clinching the title with a 3-1 victory.
The championship culminated with an impressive closing ceremony, where Yasha Mudgal, Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, J&K UT, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
She distributed trophies, medals, certificates, and utility gifts to the winners, runners-up, and technical officials, who successfully conducted a total of 67 matches during the three-day championship.
Matches were played daily till late evening under floodlights to ensure the event concluded within the stipulated timeline.
Addressing the gathering, Mudgal emphasized the vital role of sports in the overall development of youth and its significance in nation building. She urged young sportspersons of Jammu & Kashmir to act as ambassadors of positive change by helping eradicate social evils such as drug addiction and by promoting causes like water conservation and environmental protection upon returning to their respective districts. She also highlighted how sports can transform social values and contribute to building a progressive and prosperous society.
The Chief Guest expressed her appreciation for the Volleyball Association of J&K, led by Patron-in-Chief Raj Daluja and President Sidharth Daluja, for successfully organizing the three-day mega event.
The championship saw participation of around 500 players and officials from all districts of J&K, providing a strong platform for showcasing volleyball talent in the Union Territory.
Yasha Mudgal was felicitated by Raj Daluja and the office bearers of the Association with a memento as a token of gratitude. Rajeev Sharma, Member of J&K Sports Council and Guest of Honour, also presented a memento on the occasion.
Several eminent dignitaries attended the ceremony, including Shafkat Watali, IGP (Retd.), Divisional Sports Officers Iqbal Singh, and other luminaries associated with sports, particularly volleyball.
All office bearers of the Volleyball Association of J&K and affiliated district associations actively participated throughout the championship.
The successful conduct of the event was made possible with the cooperation of various sponsors and departments, including J&K Excise Department, J&K Bank, NHPC, Chenab Valley Power Project Ltd, LIC of India, YES Bank, State Times, and JK Public School Management.
Youth Services and Sports Department, Directorate of Health Services, GMC, and JKAP extended full support by providing sanitation, health, and infrastructure facilities at both venues.
Earlier, while welcoming the dignitaries, General Secretary V.K. Magotra presented a detailed report of the championship, highlighting the coordination with J&K Sports Council and the provision of free boarding and lodging to all participants.
The championship concluded with a clarion call to the youth to channel their energy towards fostering peace, harmony, and healthy living, reinforcing the unifying power of sports in society.