SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council on Thursday unveiled a three-month sports calendar and a four-day programme for National Sports Day, featuring competitions and talent-identification activities across the Union Territory.
Sports Minister Satish Sharma led the programme in Srinagar in the presence of Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, and Secretary, JK Sports Council, Nuzhat Gull.
The programme included the unveiling of the jersey and trophy for the second edition of the Kashmir Super League (KSL 2.0), with Sharma interacting with franchise owners and stressing the need for the league to provide a pathway for young footballers to develop and progress.
An exhibition match between JK Heroes and JK Stars was also held at the Synthetic Turf Football Ground at TRC, Srinagar, drawing support from football spectators.
The Sports Council conducted UT-level junior girls’ football trials earlier in the day to identify emerging players from across Jammu and Kashmir and provide them opportunities to advance within the sport.
The Council also announced the Dhyan Chand Hockey Cup, named after legendary Indian hockey player Major Dhyan Chand. The four-day tournament is scheduled to begin on August 28 as part of the National Sports Day programme.
Performances by international- and national-level gymnasts were also held during the celebrations.
The events were linked to the Sports Council’s Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan, with Sharma interacting with football enthusiasts and hockey players and encouraging young people to take up sport as a means of developing discipline and confidence while staying away from substance abuse.
The three-month calendar will extend sporting activities beyond National Sports Day, with events planned across multiple centres and disciplines to provide athletes, particularly young and emerging players, with greater opportunities for competition and exposure.
