STATE TIMES NEWS
REASI: Veer Volleyball Club Reasi was crowned champion of the 37th Reasi District Volleyball Championship after defeating Viper’s Volleyball Club Katra in a thrilling final by 3-0 sets (25-21, 25-17, 25-23) at the Sports Complex Katra.
The two-day championship, organised by the Volleyball Association of J&K in coordination with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) under the aegis of the J&K Sports Council, witnessed participation from eight teams representing different areas of Reasi district, including Agghar Jittoo, Bagdar, Panthal, Reasi, and Katra.
Alok Kumar Maurya, Additional CEO, SMVDSB Katra, was the Chief Guest at the concluding function. He announced the Shrine Board’s commitment to promoting sports infrastructure at Katra, including an indoor volleyball stadium and the appointment of a professional coach to engage youth in sports and steer them away from social evils such as drug abuse. Maurya also encouraged young players to become torchbearers of social reform and contribute to improving socio-economic conditions.
The Chief Guest was presented a memento, along with Dhurav Gupta, Assistant CEO, SMVDSB, and Dr. Bhisham Dubey, SDPO Katra, who were honoured as Guests of Honour by Kuldeep Magotra on behalf of the Volleyball Association of J&K. Dr. Dubey motivated players to act as catalysts of civil society and shared technical tips on volleyball skills, including spikes and team coordination.
The championship, conducted under the supervision of technical officials Karan Rajput and Rakesh Sharma, concluded with the distribution of trophies, medals, and sports kits to winners and runner-up teams. Over 500 rural youth were mobilised during the event, promoting sports as a means for overall physical and social well-being.
Other dignitaries present included Sanjeev Kotwal, DGM SMVDSB; Jagdeep Singh, Shooting Coach SMVDSB; and Vijay Magotra, former General Secretary VAJK. The event was widely appreciated for fostering sportsmanship and community engagement in the district.