SRINAGAR: A three days J&K UT Pencak Silat Cup-2022 began in Indoor Sports Hall Polo ground, Srinagar today.
The event aimed at primarily focusing on honing the skills of district level performers shall be held over a three days period beginning from today. Event is a part of special sports initiative ‘My Youth My Pride’, and is being organised by J&K Sports Council in association with J&K Pencak Silat Association.
Secretary J&K Sports Council, Nuzhat Gull presided over the function as chief guest while Nuzhat Farooq Divisional Sports Officer-Kashmir attended the function as guest of honour.
On the occasion, the Secretary Sports Council held a brief introduction with teams with all the participating teams drawn from the 15 districts of J&K. More than 900 athletes are participating in the event.
In her keynote address, Nuzhat Gull apprised the participants and the spectators about the role sports has played in the progress and well-being of the society and how it lays the strong foundation of the country.
She also spoke about the J&K’s first Sports Policy and its role in giving a flip to the sports not only in terms of putting in place modern sports infrastructure and facilities for players but also how it has made sports a career-oriented profession.
Nasir Ahmad Digoo, President, J&K Pencak Silat Association is the organising secretary of the event. He along with Mudasir Masoodi, District President Srinagar and district heads from other districts like Budgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama , Anantnag, Shopian , Kulgam , Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara, Poonch , Udhampur, Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar and Reasi were also present on the occasion.
The president was also flanked by Mufti Hamid Yasin, Secretary General Indian Pencak Silat Federation.
The theme of the event is Nasha Mukt Bharat, said the organising secretary of the event. He said, as drug menace is eating into the very fabric of our society, we have pledged to keep this evil away by way of keeping our younger lot focused on their health and career through the medium of this sport.
‘My Youth My Pride’ events in the other sports disciplines including that of Cricket, Hockey, Football, Kho-Kho, Volleyball and Handball were in progress in many other districts of the UT besides a National Fencing Camp presently underway in Jammu.