Jammu, Apr 24 (JKNS): It wasn’t just a football match. It was a statement. Under the floodlights of Parade Ground Jammu, the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports J&K organised a friendly football night match as part of the UT administration’s 100-day intensive campaign across the Union Territory to make Jammu & Kashmir “Nasha Mukt” (drug-free).
The idea was simple: give young people a stage where winning means more than just a scoreboard.
Two local clubs Warrior Club and Spartan Club faced off in what turned out to be a competitive, clean game. Warrior Club edged past Spartan Club with a 2–0 finish, but on a night like this, the result felt secondary to the reason everyone had gathered.
The event was kicked off by Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, alongside Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Rakesh Minhas.
The dignitaries were received by Director General YSS, Anuradha Gupta. Others who were present in the event included Vinakshi Koul, Joint Director YSS Jammu, Megha Boagia, Deputy Director (Planning/Activity) and Sunil Kotwal Accounts Officer of the Department.
Director General YSS, delivered an impressive welcome address, setting a reflective tone for the evening.
Before sharing his insightful speech, Divisional Commissioner led a pledge ceremony.
“This campaign is not just about awareness. It’s about action. Games like these reclaim young lives,” he said, as players stood listening under the lights.
After the match, medals and trophies were given to both teams not just for the goals, but for showing up and playing clean.
A small evening. A simple match. But in J&K’s push for a drug-free future, nights like these matter. (JKNS)
