Sports Council reaches out to Senior Citizens in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions
Complex
Veterans meet under “Sports for All” initiative.
Kashmir, 7th April 2023: Age is just a number and living true to this adage many senior citizens both men and women assembled in Pologround Sports Complex Srinagar and K. K Hakhu Astro Turf Jammu under the “sports for all, initiative of J&K Sports Council to celebrate the spirit of “golden age”.
Appreciating the motivation and enthusiasm of the participants towards the sports event organized by J&K Sports Council for elderly, Sarmad Hafeez Secretary, Secretary Department of Youth Services and Sports said that the response of veterans is very praiseworthy and that sports has no age barrier and a little spark and motivation is enough to keep the passion going.
Nuzhat Gull, Secretary J&K Sports Council said that the events like these are a great stress buster and I am sure each participant after going back to their respective homes will be all fresh and rejuvenated. She also said that Sports Council in its pursuit to encourage healthy life style shall follow with more such events in future. The event is being held under government’s special initiative for senior citizens and in future similar events under “Har Din Khel, Har Ek Ke Liye Khel” vertical shall be held across J&K, she added.
While in Jammu, hundreds of the senior citizens, para-athletes and players took part in the sports activities in the disciplines of Tug-of-War, Rope Skipping and Yogasana. Similar scenes were witnessed in Kashmir division with hundreds participating in Tug-of-War, Rope Skipping and traditional Hop Scotch or Saz Long in Kashmiri parlance.
The Mayor of Jammu Municipal Corporation Rajinder Sharma presided over the function as the chief guest while his deputy Baldev Singh Baloria was guest of honor on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest desired that such competitions and health awareness campaigns needs to be carried out in all wards of the city to carry forward the “sports for all“message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Baldev Singh remarked that peace and unity are the pre-requisites for any nation to prosper and sports plays an important role in that regard by bringing people of different races and regions together to strive for common goal.
Bashir Ahmad Bhat Joint Secretary J&K Sports Council presided over the function in Kashmir as the chief guest and interacted with participants which included people from all walks of life besides employees of Sports Council, YSS and some prominent businessmen. Speaking on the occasion, Bashir Ahmad appreciated the role played by both divisional sports offices for putting up a decent yet grand show for veterans of the society.
Dr. Zafar Iqbal Chief Accounts Officer, J&K Sports Council who was present in K.K Hakhu Stadium applauded the efforts of all the departments and organizations who cooperated in making event a grand success.
Among others who were present on the occasion in Jammu were Rajiv Sharma member Sports Council, Ashok Sing Divisional Sports Officer (J), Sheikh Riyaz Ahmed Administrative Officer, General Secretary J&K Lawn Tennis Association Captain Murti, Rajan Sharma, Jai Pal Sharma Secretary Bhartiya Yog-Sansthan, and Satish Gupta besides officers and officials from Ayush Department, YSS and Sports Council alongwith local sports fraternities and athletes.
In the events held in Kashmir division Farooq Ahmad, Abdul Majeed Bhat and Abdul Rasheed bagged first three positions in 400 Meter race for above 50 years while as in similar race in 600 Meter Mohammad Iqbal, Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar and Mohammad Altaf Chopan clinched first three positions repectively.
In the Tug of War category for women team Red led by Nuzhat Farooq triumphed over team Blue and similarly in men category team Blue prevailed over team Red.
The chief attraction of the event in Srinagar was the traditional Hopscotch-Saz Loung which was very nostalgic as expressed many participants especially females and they demanded that Hopscotch event all exclusive for senior citizens should be organized sooner than later.
Among others present on the occasion in Kashmir included Nusrat Gazala Divisional Sports Officer (C), Executive Engineer CDK Abdul Rasheed , Divisional Sports Officer (K), Officers from Youth Services and Sports, Prof. Bashir Ahmad former member Sports Council and employees of Sports Council and YSS.
The events in Jammu division were supervised by Satpal Singh Manager KK Hakhu Stadium and in Kashmir division the events were supervised by Mohammad Iqbal, Incharge Pologround Sports Sports Complex.
