Jammu, Dec 11: Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand today declared open the 58th National School Games 2012 Tennis Ball Cricket, Boys and Girls under 19.
 The games are being organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports under the aegis of School Games Federation of India. As many as 13 states with 25 teams are participating in the national level sports event.
 The inauguration function was attended by Director, YS&S Jaipal Singh, IGP Hemant Lohia, Director, School Education G.A. Quershi, Executive Director, MMHS and Joint Director, Information Soujanya Sharma, SSP Vijay S. Sambyal and scores of sports lovers.
 In his inaugural address, Tara Chand welcomed the participating teams, coaches and wished them good luck for the coming matches. He said events like this should be held in the state on periodic basis and called upon players from outside the state to be brand ambassadors of the state.
 Addressing the gathering of players from different parts of the country, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the government has taken steps to promote sports at different levels in school, college and universities. Nurturing players at different level is very important and events like national games go a long way in promoting talent of the younger generation, he added.
  “Organizing sports events in the state serves dual purpose of giving platform to players for excelling in sports as well as giving an opportunity to interact with other sportsmen who have come from different cultures and areas,” he added.
 Director, YS&S in his welcome address while giving details of the event said that the matches would be held at five different locations and in all 44 matches would be held. He said elaborate arrangements have been made for the participating teams and the department is all geared up to make the games a mega success.
 Earlier, the chief guest unfurled the School Games Federation of India flag and released the balloons.
 A colorful cultural programme depicting different dance forms of the country was presented by the students of Aurobindo School, Vijaypur.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 11 Dec 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 11 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:00:00 IST