SRINAGAR, MAY 19: The union territory of J&K witnessed a groundbreaking moment in sports history as the Kashmir province hosted a first-ever night Hockey match under lights at a newly constructed Hockey Astro-Turf in Pologround, Srinagar. The event brought together 150 talented participants and captivated the attention of more than 500 enthusiastic spectators. The Secretary J&K Sports Council Nuzhat Gull presided over the function as the chief guest. She was accompanied by Nuzhat Farooq Sports Officer Kashmir besides other officials of the Sports Council. Speaking to the desk in reference to the first ever night Hockey event, Secretary Youth Services and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez said that the match not only celebrated the spirit of hockey but also served as a platform to inspire future generations to pursue their sporting dreams. The venue will provide an opportunity to young athletes to interact and rub shoulders with seasoned professionals which will surely motivate them to push their limits, Sarmad Hafeez added. The Secretary Sports Council Nuzhat Gull said that this is the first of many underlight matches to come, cementing J&K’s place on the national sporting map and nurturing a thriving sporting culture in the region. Meanwhile, a football match was played in the Sports Stadium Poonch, where budding players including both boys and girls showcased their skills and sportsmanship. The matches in both the categories lived up to expectations and participating teams displayed remarkable teamwork throughout the game. Nirdosh Sharma advised the budding players to play the game regularly and not indulge in bad habits like drugs, etc. Speaking on the sidelines of the football match, Sports Officer Jammu said that it was a pure display of sportsmanship and camaraderie among the young athletes as they played with passion and determination. The spectators were treated to a thrilling encounter as both teams battled it out on the field. In the end, it was the team Shaheen FC that emerged as the victorious beating Young Boys FC by 3:1. The event witnessed a significant turnout of spectators including families, and friends of the participants. The atmosphere was so overwhelming that the cheers and support from the crowd motivated the players to give their best and showcase their true potential. The Secretary, Sports Council while referring to the success of the football match in Poonch said that events like these highlight the growing importance of sports in the region. The event is expected to spur interest and inspire young athletes to think seriously about sports and live a well disciplined life. While Football and Hockey events mesmerized the crowds, Cricket match played between Red FM and High Court XI also lived up to every penny. After winning the toss, Red FM elected to field first. Highcourt XI posted a competitive total of 167/9 in their allotted quota of 20 overs, with Shabir Lefty’s 93 runs in 60 balls being the standout performance. Wahid from Red FM was the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets, while Sameen and Daamin took one wicket each. In response, Red FM’s Umar Nisar and Yawar Amin displayed their batting prowess, with Umar scoring an unbeaten 90* runs in 64 balls and Yawar contributing with 55 runs in 38 balls while Tufail and Tawseef took one wicket each for High Court XI. Red FM’s dominant batting performance helped them chase down the target of 168 with 7 balls to spare and secure a resounding eight-wicket victory over Highcourt XI. The partnership between Umar and Yawar was instrumental in Red FM’s win, which showcased their strong batting lineup. The match was a true spectacle, leaving fans at the edge of their seats until the dying moments of the game. The players demonstrated their skills, determination, and passion for the game, leaving the spectators in awe. The routine coaching and training classes are in progress and the special event to celebrate the arrival G-20 summit in J&K will continue for the entire week.
