Such events help in fighting drug abuse: Organisers

Pampore: The 19th Badminton Championship concluded at Saffron Town Pampore area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday with a grand award distribution ceremony. Winners and runner-up teams in different categories were given prizes by various dignitaries who graced the occasion.
Principal GDC Pampore Dr Huda Galzai was the chief guest of the function, while Tehsildar Pampore Zuber Ahmad Bhat, SHO Pampore Jazib Mohammad Bhat, ZPEO Pampore Syed Masarat Hussain Andrabi, Councillor Arfat Khan, army officials and others were the guests of honour on the closing ceremony.
Organising Secretary District Badminton Association Pulwama Adnan Shah, Vice Chairman Badminton Association of J&K, General Secretary Pulwama Mohammad Irfan Shah and other dignities were also present at the event.
In the event, around 450-500 boys and girls hailing from various parts of the district Pulwama participated in various age groups.
The event was organised by District Badminton Association Pulwama which is Associated with Jammu and Kashmir Badminton Association, Organisers of the championship told Kashmir Reader.
The dignitaries praised the organizers of the championship and hailed them for providing aspiring players a platform to showcase their talent. They interacted with the participants and urged the youth to actively participate in the sports activities for their all-round development. They extended best wishes to all the participants for future endeavours.
Speaking on the occasion, the dignitaries said holding such tournaments was a step forward to give a platform to the budding players of the district Pulwama and to encourage the sports culture for a healthy society. They said that sports activities provide a common platform for budding sportspersons to exhibit their sports talent at a common platform which helps them to face future challenges in their life.
Earlier, the organisers of the championship warmly welcomed the chief guest and other guests presented the report on the Badminton Championship 2023. Later, the dignitaries distributed prizes to the winners, runner-up players as well as participants.
Talking to Kashmir Reader, Adnan Shah, patron of the championship, said that students from Birla Open Minds International School, Skylight, DGC Pampore, GDC Pulwama and Al Academy participated in the event. He said that organising such events helps them groom young talent and keep them away from various social evils, especially the menace of drug abuse.
“Fighting drug abuse among youth is not the sole responsibility of a particular individual or organisation but all individuals of the society have to play their role in eradicating this menace,” he said.
Mohammad Irfan Shah, vice chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Badminton Association, said that they have been organising the competition for the past 20 years. “ Around 500 students and players from Pampore, Awantipora, Tral, Kakapora and Pulwama took part in the event,” he said, adding that the event was held for under 13, 15, 17, 19, senior and mixed categories. He said that the purpose of organising the championship is to select talented players for state and national-level events.

BILAL HABIB