Sports activities organised under civic action prog to address drug abuse among youth: DIG South Kashmir

PAMPORE: Two T-20 Knockout tournaments which were organised by the police district Awantipora under Civic Action Programme concluded on Thursday at Samboora and Pampore area here. These tournaments were inaugurated by SSP Awantipora Ajaz Ahmad Zagar and SDPO Pampore Mir Imtiyaz Ahmad and concluded with colourful closing ceremonies.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) South Kashmir Range Rayees Mohammad Bhat was the Chief Guest while as the father of Farooq Ahmad, slain police Sub Inspector Abdul Gani was the Guest of Honour. SSP Awantipora Ajaz Ahmad Zargar, C0 110Bn CRPF Yogesh Purohit, ADC Awantipora Zaffar Husson Shawl, Dy.SP DAR Awantipora SDPO Pampore Mir Imtiyaz Ahmad, SHO Pampore Zahoor Ahmad and other officers of the Police, CRPF, attended the closing ceremony at Samboora Pampore.
In Samboora, the tournament was organised in memory of slain J&K police Sub Inspector Farooq Ahmad who was killed by militants in June last year in the Samboora area. The final match of the T-20 cricket tournament was played between Chinar Valley Tral vs Rising Star Allochibagh in which Chinar Valley Tral emerge as the winner of the tournament, police officials told Kashmir Reader.
In Tanchibagh Pampore final match of the T-20 cricket tournament was played between Shining Star Pampore vs Pampore Kings in which Shining Star Pampore emerge as winners of the tournament.
These tournaments were played on a knockout basis.
Thirty-two teams – 16 in each tournament – from different areas of Police District Awantipora participated. A large number of people witnessed the Grand Finale event at Samboora and Tanchibagh Pampore. They expressed their gratitude towards the police and appreciated their role to channelize the energy of the youth of the district towards sports and other constructive activities.
On the occasion, slain police officers’ families, civil society members, and Fallah Behbood Committee Pampore were also invited.
DIG Rayees Mohammad Bhat along with SSP Awantipora Ajaz Ahmad Zargar was grandly welcomed by Fallah Behbood Committee Chief Organiser Mir Murawat Hussain and other members during the closing function at Iqbal Stadium Tanchibagh Pampore.
While speaking at the closing ceremony, DIG SKR said that J&K Police has always been at the forefront in providing a platform to youth and guiding them in following their goals by organizing different events across J&K. He congratulated SSP Awantipora for successfully conducting the Cricket tournaments in Pampore, Awantipora and Tral areas. He said such events may strengthen Police-Public relations and encouraged youths to take part in sports activities
The DIG Rayees Mohammad Bhat along with SSP Awantipora Ajaz Ahmad Zargar and other officers presented trophies to winner teams and runner-up teams.
The Winner and Runner-up teams in Samboora as well as Tanchibagh were awarded Trophies and Cash prizes of Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 10,000 respectively.
In Samboora, the Man of the Match (Final) award was given to Shahid Ahmad and the Man of the Series award was given to Amir Rashid. In Iqbal Stadium Tanchibagh Man of the Match (Final) and Man of the Series, an award was given to Abid Nabi.
SSP Awantipora thanked the cricket lovers and the participating teams for their sportsmanship and enthusiasm during the tournament. He also presented a trophy to DIG SKR Anantnag as a token of love and thanked him for gracing the closing ceremony of both events and for encouraging the youth towards sports activities.
Talking to Kashmir Reader DIG South Kashmir Range Rayees Mohammad Bhat said that the Jammu and Kashmir Police under Civic Action Programme is organising different sports activities, especially cricket. “This tournament at Pampore is the 3rd tournament whose final was played today. Earlier a tournament was played at Samboora and Charligund area of Awantipora,” he said, adding that many teams took part in these tournaments.
He said that people showed a tremendous response and connected in large numbers. “The message is how youth are kept at bay from drug abuse and other social evils. We try to provide permanent facilities at these places,” he said.
“We will like to have facilities like the source of lighting so that youth can play games evening which is their free time and remain away from drugs,” he said while assuring all possible support to the organising committee.

BILAL HABIB