STATE TIMES NEWS
BARI BARHMANA: Former minister and Pradesh BJP Vice President Surjeet Singh Slathia on Thursday expressed happiness over youth participating in all disciplines of sports and not remaining confined to popular traditional games only, saying this will keep them in good stead to face various events with much more vigour and confidence.
Speaking at the concluding ceremony of District Samba Soft Ball held at Birpur Bari Barahmana Championship 2023-24, Slathia said sports provide vistas of career opportunities to youth apart from their overall personality development, hoping that the youngsters will play games in a big way alongside pursuing academics.
The Championship was organised by Samba Soft Ball Association under ‘My Youth My Pride’ initiative under the sponsorship of Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council at Birpur Bari-Brahamna.
Birpur Warriors Club won in Men and JCC Gurha Slathia in women. Runner up Dragon Club in Men and Birpur Club in women.
He exhorted the youth to fine-tune their capabilities and make a mark in national and international sports events, saying the governments at both the Centre and the J&K UT have put in place a robust mechanism to encourage the talented sports persons showcase their capabilities on a larger canvass.
“We don’t lack talent, as our youngsters are second to none and provided opportunities, coaching and avenues the day is not far when they will shine in the sports horizon of the country”, Mr Slathia said, adding that holding of such events will help in identifying talent, so as to polish and prepare them for bigger events.
Slathia appreciated the enthusiasm among the budding sports persons and hoped that they will put in their best in the coming events and inspire others to take to sport. He wished success to the participants, saying though just one team will make it to the top yet this should not be the end of the game. “In sports there is always another time”, he said and hoped that by emulating this spirit the players will do their best and play with commitment.
Slathia complimented the organizers for holding the championship , saying this will go a long way in providing larger canvass to the Soft Ball players. He said holding of such events are imperative for identifying talent, sharpening them and to provide them opportunities to perform, first at a limited scale and then in various tournaments at the local and the national level.
He congratulated the participating players for their performance.
Prominent among those present included Wasim Raja General Secretary Soft Ball Association J&K, Padam Dev Singh President Soft Ball Association Samba, Sudhir Singh District Secretary Samba, Dheeraj Singh Jamwal Technical Director District Samba Softball Association, Veena Jamwal Sarpanch Birpur, Munishwar Singh Jamwal Retd Deputy Commandant SSB, Nedan Singh Social Activist, Suraj Verma Senior Lecturer, Harvinder Singh Chief Coach of Jammu & Kashmir Softball, Harkesh Singh Jasrotia, Anju Devi Principal GHSS Birpur, Pradeep Singh, Pawan Kumar, Aman Singh, Sagar Chib, Atul Singh, Ajay Singh.
FINAL RESULTS: Men: Heavy Hitter Softball Club, 1st, Dragon Fire Softball Academy, 2nd and Black Bulls Club, 3rd. Women: GSS Gurah Slathia, 1st, Birpur Softball Club, 2nd and Young Hawks Club, 3rd. Junior Boys: Young Taught Softball Club, 1st, Spikers Softball Club, 2nd and Friends Club, 3rd. Junior Girls: Wais Club, 1st, Hard Dier Club, 2nd and Peak Vision Club, 3rd. Sub Junior Boys: TDS Academy, 1st, Dare Softballers, 2nd and Hawks Samba Club, 3rd. Sub Junior Girls: Unique Sporting Club, 1st, Royal Softball Club, 2nd and Angels Softball Club, 3rd.