The 36th J&K Senior Volleyball Championship for men and women was declared open here today by Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Transport, FCS&CA, Science and Technology, Information Technology, ARI and Trainings Satish Sharma, at MA Stadium Jammu.
Excise Commissioner, Subash Chander Chibber and Secretary J&K Sports Council, Nuzhat Gul graced the function as guests of honour.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister underlined the importance of sports among youth for all round growth and development of the country. He called upon the youth to play their part devotedly towards eradicating all social evils from the society with special emphasis on drug trafficking.
Satish Sharma lauded the efforts of the organizers and association in promoting sports in general and game of volleyball in particular thus involving youth in constructive activities.
Congratulating the organisers for the Championship which coincides with golden jubilee celebration of Volleyball Association of J&K, the Minister assured them for upgradation/ renovation of Volleyball courts in MA Stadium Jammu.
The Minister also felicitated stalwarts of Volleyball with shawl/ mementoes for their life time achievements on the occasion.
Interacting with the players, the Minister enquired about their welfare while advising them not to fall prey to the menace of drug abuse which is spreading fast in the society.
The 3- day championship organised by Volleyball Association of J&K in collaboration with J&K Sports council would showcase the outstanding talents of many J&K players who have earned their recognition in National and International events.
As many as 500 players and officials are awfully involved in clinching the Championship where in 20 teams in men and 10 teams in women section from all across J&K are struggling hard to get the distinction in the championship.
Earlier, Vijay Kumar Magotra, General Secretary of the association, gave an account of 3-day championship in which total 62 matches would be played daily on league cum knockout basis.
The artists of Bhartiya lok Sangeet Kala Sansathan added grace to the function by presenting colourful theme based programmes.
The departments of J&K Excise, J&K Bank, Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited, Yes Bank, LIC, JK Public School, State Times have supplemented the efforts of organisers for successful conduct of the championship.