Mahadeep Singh Jamwal
The Udhampur town once known for its sports activities was in oblivion on this front, for a considerable period. It was a town which was hosting number of sports activities around the year. The volleyball, cricket, and handball were the sports in a dominating role. The people of this town after their hectic engagements in their livelihood professions used to throng the Mini Stadium, the only available ‘Sport Activity Ground’ to ease their days fatigue by enjoying the sports. It was hub of national teams visiting the town for tournaments. The National players of the time and assets of the town such as Ashok Kumar, Raj Guru, Roshan, Bhushan Sethi, Kuldeep Singh, Sham Kalsotra, Rajan Singh, Pummy Chopra, Rajinder Singh Katoch and many more were the front runners. These proud figures of the Udhampur were a reckoning force behind these sport activities. The time factor pushed sport activities to the back foot in this town owing to the departure of sports mindset for their professional carrier and responsibilities of their growing families. In spite of all these difficulties these sport minds kept, sport activities alive by managing various memorial tournaments off and on. For the past some time we find that young buds under inspiration from the stalwarts of sports of their time have revived the identity of the town as a sport town such as recently held Table Tennis Tournament in memory of late Er. Munna Thanda (annual feature), Cricket Tournament in memory of late Chuni Lal Khajuria, Ex Deputy Speaker J and K Legislative Council, and presently ‘Police Martyrs Memorial Volley Ball Tournament’ (annual feature). Major Narain Singh Memorial Cricket Tournament of the town has faded away and revival of such tournament is real homage to the Martyr of the Country. Rural sports are required to be conducted as wrestling, kabaddi etc. to honour Martyrs of the rural area to mark homage to Subedar Krishan Sngh Jamwal, having rural background and awardees of Vir Chakra in 1948. The famous ‘Dangal’ on the concluding day of Baisakhi fair at Devika Ghat reminds us of Late Amar Nath popularly known as ‘Amru’ for his contribution in this annual event.
Why sports are required is a question to be elaborated in its real perspective for imbibing lust in young minds for sports. The sport is an activity which gives dignity, a healthy life style and reason to stand up and to live. It helps to wipe fears away, because most of us are shy of ourselves, because when you are involved in sports, you’re not always in a hidden place. It culminates discipline and confidence in the life. Sport builds bridges between individuals and across communities. The sport provides a fertile ground for sowing the seeds of development and peace. The sport and physical activity has the power to unite people, transform lives and positively engage disadvantaged communities. Sports are associated in social exclusion. It gives something to the people to cheer for, organises the time, boosts friendship, and builds relationship. Sport is an enjoyable way to do exercise which is essential to the human body. It provides many positive opportunities to advance in the life.
The sport activities are deeply and emotionally embedded in the urban as well as in the rural folk. Now the sports have been going further from physical aspect to the mental aspect of competing. The sports have gone more competitive. The modern technology has an important role to play in the sports. Advancing technology has created new opportunities for research into sports. The changing scenario to the modern popular games has dominated the every segment of the human life and some of the sports have deeply impressed the raw brain of new generation. Nationalism and sport are often intertwined, as sports provide a venue for symbolic competition between nations. Sports competition often reflects, conflict, and in fact has been a tool of diplomacy.
Gandhi Ji believed in the importance of sport as a way of creating balance between the mind and the body. The words of world personalities, Nelson Mandela, that “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair” and Ban Ki-Moon, UN Sectary General that “Sport has become a world language, a common denominator that breaks down all the walls, all the barriers. It is a worldwide industry whose practices can have widespread impact. For most of all, it is a powerful tool for progress and for development” these are enough as eye opener on sport.
