JAMMU: Making it an easy 4-0 win against Tamil Nadu in the final, Punjab on Saturday retained the title trophy of 62nd National School Games Under-19 Football Championship which was organised by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) under the aegis of School Games Federation of India (SGFI) at BSF Stadium, here.
The title trophy other individual prizes were presented to Punjab by Minister of State for Sports, Sunil Kumar Sharma, who was the Chief Guest in the valedictory function. Secretary to Government, Youth Services and Sports Department, Hilal Ahmed Parray was Guest of Honour.
Speaking to the gathering, minister said that sports and games apart from many other things help in character building and inculcating sportsman spirit among the youth.
Earlier, in the title clash, Punjab displayed extraordinary skills to completely dominate the opponent side throughout. Taking an invincible 2-0 lead in the first half of the play, Punjab played equally good after the breather to making it an absolute 4-0 victory. Manjinder Singh (22nd and 59th), Rohit Jhamat (26th) and Vijay Kumar (55th) were the scorers.
Third place went to Uttar Pradesh, who defeated KVS by a solitary goal in the hardliner. The only goal came through Inder Dev Khanayaya in the 11th minute of the match.
To make it a colourful closing, students of Bhagwati Haqikat Memorial Public High School, Lower Barnai and Government Higher Secondary School, Shastri Nagar were presented a cultural programme.
Secretary to Government, Youth Services and Sports, Hial Ahmed Parray also spoke to the gathering. Earlier, Director DYSS, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmed in his welcome address and gave a brief report of the championship.
Prominent among others present were Joint Directors DYSS all District Officer (DYSS).