The Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today formally declared open the three day 17th Junior Roll Ball National Championship–2026 at M.A. Stadium, Jammu, marking another significant step towards promoting sports culture in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Deputy Chief Minister was accompanied by the Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, senior officers of the Sports Council and other dignitaries.
The dignitaries interacted with young participants representing various States and Union Territories of the country and extended their best wishes for the championship.
The Deputy Chief Minister also felicitated the international gold medal winners from Jammu and Kashmir, acknowledging their outstanding achievements and contribution towards bringing laurels to the Union Territory.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister said that sports serve as a powerful medium to connect the citizens across regions and cultures besides cultivating camaraderie. He reiterated that the government of Jammu and Kashmir is giving special emphasis on promotion of sports across every nook and corner of the UT, with a focus on providing adequate platforms for youth to nurture, polish and showcase their talent.
He emphasized that continuity in sports activities is crucial for sustaining interest and discipline among children. “Tournaments and practice sessions must continue regularly so that the young players remain engaged and the rhythm of sports is not broken. With sustained effort and hard work, our youth can achieve national and international recognition,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister congratulated the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, for successfully organizing the national-level championship. He expressed hope that the teams from Jammu and Kashmir, along with participants from other States, would carry forward the spirit of sportsmanship and make both their regions and the country proud on national and global platforms.
He urged the youth to stay away from drugs and adopt sports activities for living healthy life and channelize their energy towards nation building.
Speaking on the occasion, Sports Minister extended his best wishes to all the participants. He said that Jammu and Kashmir has recently witnessed the successful conduct of several sporting events across diverse disciplines, including water sports, mountain biking, skiing and traditional games, reflecting the J&K's growing sports footprint.
The Minister stressed the need to provide opportunities to sincere and dedicated sportspersons and cautioned against unnecessary interference that hampers the growth of sports. He also highlighted the role of sports in fostering unity, discipline and healthy lifestyle.
Addressing the gathering, Advisor to the Chief Minister assured the participating players of the best possible hospitality. He said that hosting a national-level championship in Jammu is a matter of pride for J&K.
The Advisor said that the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, is personally monitoring the development of sports infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. He added that the government is committed towards creating world-class sports facilities not only in major cities but also at district, block and grassroots levels, enabling the young athletes to excel at national and international level.
The championship will witness the participation of around 600 players and officials from 26 States and Union Territories, making it one of the largest junior Roll Ball events in the country.
The 17th Junior Roll Ball National Championship is being hosted and sponsored by the J&K Sports Council in collaboration with the J&K Roll Ball Association.
General Secretary Roll Ball Federation of India, Pratap Pagar and other officials besides Secretary Sports Council, Nuzhat Gul and representatives from the J&K Roll Ball Association were also present on the occasion.