Jammu, Nov 10 (JKNS): In a historic first for the Union Territory, Jammu is all set to host night cricket as the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) prepares to organise the 70th National School Games U-17 Girls Cricket Tournament from November 15 to 20, 2026. For the first time, most of the knockout-stage matches will be played under floodlights at the University of Jammu grounds and the Tawa Cricket Ground on the city’s outskirts.
The six-day national sporting spectacle will unfold across seven venues, underscoring Jammu’s expanding capacity to host events of national significance.
The venues include the Jammu University Ground, Tawa-A and Tawa-B Grounds, K2 Cricket Academy Ground and JP World School Ground, besides the Kripalpur and Mandal Cricket Grounds on the city’s periphery.
Around 30 teams from across the country are expected to participate, transforming Jammu into a vibrant arena of youthful talent, competitive spirit and sporting camaraderie. Beyond the pursuit of trophies, the tournament also represents a powerful stride towards empowering young women, nurturing leadership and advancing the cause of gender equality through sport.
The School Games Federation of India (SGFI) has reposed confidence in the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Jammu and Kashmir, by sanctioning four national-level events to the Union Territory during the current season. Jammu and Kashmir has already demonstrated its organisational prowess by successfully hosting the Wushu and Taekwondo championships in Srinagar, and is now poised to stage cricket in Jammu during November, followed by fencing in December.
The prestigious tournament is being organised under the patronage of Minister for Youth Services and Sports, J&K, Sh. Mir Saifullah, and Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, J&K, Sh. Sarmad Hafeez, under the overall directions of Director General, Youth Services and Sports, J&K, Ms. Anuradha Gupta.
In the presence of Joint Director, Youth Services and Sports, Jammu, Sh. Inderjeet Parihar, Ms. Anuradha Gupta inspected the tournament venues and chaired a meeting of conveners of key committees, including the Technical Committee, to review preparations and ensure the seamless conduct of the event.
During the meeting, the conveners apprised the Director General that all venues were ready and that technical, logistical and allied arrangements had been completed. She directed the concerned officers to ensure timely installation of hoardings, banners and other publicity material, lending the tournament the visibility, grandeur and professional finish befitting a national-level sporting event.
Ms. Anuradha urged all stakeholders to work with unwavering commitment, precision and coordination, while preserving the spirit, sanctity and dignity of sport. She emphasised that the successful conduct of the tournament would not only showcase Jammu’s sporting infrastructure but also reinforce Jammu and Kashmir’s growing reputation as a dependable and distinguished destination for national sporting events.
With floodlit matches set to lend a new dimension to school cricket in the region, the 70th National School Games U-17 Girls Cricket Tournament promises to be a landmark celebration of young talent, sporting excellence and Jammu’s rising stature on the national sporting map.
In a special message, Director General, Youth Services and Sports, J&K, Ms. Anuradha Gupta said: “This tournament is far more than a competition; it is a celebration of courage, discipline, teamwork and the boundless potential of our young sportswomen. As floodlights illuminate Jammu’s grounds, may they also illuminate the dreams of every young girl who dares to aspire. The Department of Youth Services and Sports remains committed to creating world-class opportunities, empowering girls through sport and positioning Jammu and Kashmir as a proud host of national sporting excellence.”
The tournament is expected to leave an enduring legacy, inspiring a new generation of girls to pick up the bat, chase their dreams under the lights and carry the flag of Indian school sport with pride. (JKNS)
