Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Sporting activity continued across Jammu district and neighbouring Samba, with tennis ball cricket, badminton and gymnastics competitions giving young athletes a platform to showcase their talent, gain competitive exposure and take part in organised sport.
In Jammu, the District Jammu Tennis Ball Cricket Championship began at M.A. Stadium with participation from schools and clubs across the district. The event is organised by the District Jammu Tennis Ball Cricket Association under the aegis of the J&K Tennis Ball Cricket Association and is recognised by the J&K Sports Council. The two-day championship is being played in four categories: Under-12, Under-14, Under-17 and Senior. Organisers say the competition is intended to identify emerging talent and to encourage wider participation in cricket across age groups, a goal that matters in a region where tennis ball cricket is among the most widely played forms of the game at the grassroots.
In Samba, badminton activities were held at the Sports Stadium on October 12 under the My Youth My Pride initiative of the J&K Sports Council. More than 70 boys and girls took part, and over 180 spectators watched the matches. The event offered young shuttlers valuable match experience and a chance to display their skills in front of a live audience.
Samba also hosted a district-level gymnastics competition at the Indoor Complex, organised by the J&K Gymnastics Association in collaboration with the J&K Sports Council. Around 50 boys and girls participated, and medals and certificates were presented to recognise their performances and encourage them to continue with the sport.
Taken together, the competitions reflect continuing efforts to strengthen grassroots sport and to create opportunities for young athletes through district-level championships, special activities and the effective use of existing sports infrastructure. Programmes such as My Youth My Pride, along with support for competitions run by sports associations, help the Sports Council identify talent early and keep young people engaged in structured activity.
Officials note that events of this kind serve more than one purpose. They promote physical fitness and discipline among children and teenagers, give them exposure to competition at a young age, and open pathways from local contests to higher-level sporting platforms. For athletes in smaller towns and districts, local championships are often the first rung on that ladder, and regular fixtures make it easier for coaches and associations to spot promising players.
The J&K Sports Council has said it will continue to encourage youth participation, facilitate talent identification and extend sports development opportunities across all districts, so that young athletes in every part of Jammu and Kashmir get a fair chance to progress.
