Secretary, Youth Service & Sports (YSS), Sarmad Hafeez distributed medals among the winners of District Championship 2018 for Water Sports at water sports centre Nehru Park, here on Friday.
Around 370 athletes participated in water sports games which include Kayaking, Canoeing, Dragon Boat, Canoepolo on the concluding day. The championship was organized by J&K State Sports Council.
On the occasion, Secretary congratulated the winners as well as participants and said that winning medals only in sports activities is not important but participation is important as well. He said sports teach discipline and help in better channelizing of energy.
Sarmad Hafeez said it is for the first time that such a district-level championship was organized which acted a talent hunt programme. The talent needs to be nurtured and harnessed so that the budding sports persons bring laurels to the state and the country in future competitions.
He appreciated the participation of girls in the championship and assured them of all possible support.
He also said that the Governors’ administration is also taking a slew of measures to upgrade sports infrastructure like constructing indoor sports halls at district level. He further said that by joint efforts, sports fields will be developed at block and village level as well.
Secretary urged the organizers that those who ride shikaras should be involved in the water sports by nurturing their talent as they are familiar with such activities.
Director General Sports, Dr Saleem, Secretary State Sports Council, Dr Naseem Javaid Chaudhary, OSD to Advisor K. Vijay Kumar, Anil Sharma, and other officials of the Council and a large number of spectators were present at the event.