STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: To spread message of ‘Say No To Drugs-Yes To Sports’ through sports, the Department of Excise in coordination with Volleyball Association of Jammu and Kashmir organised an exhibition Volleyball Match for Boys & Girls at M A Stadium Jammu on Saturday.
The Excise Commissioner J&K UT, Pankaj Kumar Sharma was the Chief Guest on the occasion while Kusum Sharma, Deputy Excise Commissioner (Executive) was the Guest of Honour.
Congratulating winner/runner-up teams for their excellent performance, the Chief Guest advocated for participation of youth in sports for nation-building besides making the society free from drugs and urged the youth to become ‘Ambassadors of Peace’. The Chief Guest announced all players would be given sport-kits with attractive messages by the department.
Recalling his school days, the Chief Guest disclosed that Volleyball game was the most popular and affordable game, and should be promoted vigorously in rural areas to attract youth towards sports. The Chief Guest assured all possible support to VAJK for such initiatives in future. The Chief Guest lauded Raj Daluja, Patron-in-Chief; Sidharth Daluja, President; Kuldip Magotra, CEO Volleyball Association of J&K for encouraging youth towards sports in general and Volleyball in particular.
In boys section, Pinto Club emerged winner by defeating Jammu Spikers while in girls section, Trikuta Club was declared winner, which defeated Army Children Club.
The Chief Guest presented also cash prizes of Rs 2,000 each to winner teams and Rs 1,000 each to runner-up teams.
Earlier, Anil Chandan, ETO Excise in his welcome address, apprised dignitaries and players regarding objective of programme and disclosed that the Department of Excise would extend every possible help to the Association for carrying mandate of the department as well as supporting ‘My Youth My Pride’ mission initiated all across J&K.
The Chief Guest also administered ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ pledge to participating players and other dignitaries.
Vijay Kumar Magotra, General Secretary of Volleyball Association of J&K presented formal vote of thanks on behalf of the Association and thanked dignitaries for sparing their valuable time for inspiring budding players with their blessings. The role of VAJK was highlighted especially for conduct of clinics for officials/coaching camps for players in J&K UT besides holding various Volleyball competitions at National levels.
VAJK office bearers namely H S Gill (Executive Vice President), R C Sharma (Treasurer), Subash Shastri (Executive Member) besides Kuldeep Singh Arora, O P Sharma, D L Gondhi and Sat Pal Khajuria were also present on the occasion. The matches were officiated by Amarjeet Singh, Amit Sharma (National Referee VFI) and Neha (Scorer).
