National Conference Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana today called upon youth to participate in sports in a big way, saying that these hold promise for talented ones and open up career avenues and opportunities.

Interacting with players and organizers during semis of one of the events, held as part of the team and individual competitions of the   81st Junior and Youth National and Inter State Table Tennis Championships 2019 here this afternoon, the Provincial President enumerated how celebrities in the sports world have made to the top from very humble beginning in urban, semi urban and rural areas.

“There is no reason why today’s beginners will not emerge as champions of tomorrow”, he said, hoping the participants will put up their best in the competitions and leave a mark of their performances. He said sports are not only imperative for mental and physical growth of youngsters but also helpful in career building.

Mr. Ajay Sharma, Chairman Jammu & Kashmir Table Tennis Association and Organizing Secretary of the   81st Junior and Youth National and Inter State Table Tennis Championships 2019 welcomed Mr Rana and brief him about the ongoing event.

    Mr Rana appreciated the enthusiasm among participating players and said that over month long competitions will place them in good stead to face the competitive world with vigour and confidence. He wished success to the players, saying though just one team will make it to the top yet this should not be end of the game.

“In sports there is always other time”, the Provincial President said and hoped that emulating this spirit the players will do their best and play with a sense of commitment.

            Mr Rana complimented organisers for sponsoring the event and hoped that teams participating in the tournament will put in their best in sportsman spirit of the game and inspire youngsters in this field of activity. He hoped the participating players and others from rest of the country will return back their homes as ambassadors of Jammu’s glorious hospitality.

          The championship is being conducted at Jammu from 2nd to 8th January, 2019.  Being organised by Jammu and Kashmir State Table Tennis Association with the support of Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, the championship is going to be a mega event in which more than 34 states and Union Territories of the country will be represented by 650 players.

This championships has team events and individual events for the Junior and Youth Events

The team championships will be held on the first four days and finals of the team events will be on 5th December at 1500 Hrs.

The Individual events will commence tomorrow evening and finals of the singles events will be on 8th December at 1500 Hrs, Mr Rana was informed by the organizers.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included Arun Sharma, Sidharth Sharma, Samant Singh, Sunil Sharma, Satish Gupta, Ajay Sharma, Rajan Sharma, Narinder Singh, Saleem Banday, Jatinder Gupta and others.