This is a first-of-its-kind initiative by DYSS
PAMPORE: Youth Services and Sports (YSS) Department on Wednesday organised a one-day sports festival ‘The Spirit of Golden Age’ for senior citizens of Pampore Tehsil under the banner of G20. The festival was held at the Saffron Town Pampore area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
A number of senior citizens participated in the sports festival spreading the message of health and fitness
Sub Division Police Officer (SDPO) Pampore Mir Imtiyaz Ahmad was the chief guest on the occasion while ZEO Pampore Abdul Rasheed was the guest of honour at the event. ZEPO Pampore Masrat Hussain Andrabi and other officials of ZEPO Pampore were also present on the occasion.
The event was inaugurated by chief guest SDPO Pampore. The first-of-its-kind sports festival is organized with the aim to motivate everyone from children to senior citizens about taking care of their health and take out time for themselves. “It is an effort from the Department of Youth Services and Sports to motivate everyone towards sports and keep themselves fit for a healthy life,” an official told Kashmir Reader.
SDPO Pampore distributed medals among the participants. The chief guest appreciated the efforts of senior citizens in sending a message of fitness to future generations by taking part in the sports festival. “The mobile phone and fast food affected the fitness culture and such competitions give a positive message in Society,” he said.
He also emphasised that sports not only help to keep us healthy but also keep our youth away from drugs and other social evils. He urged the senior citizens and parents to keep a tight vigil on their wards to ensure they remain away from drugs.
Talking to Kashmir Reader, senior citizen Haji Abdul Rasheed Bhat said they were invited by ZPEO Pampore Masarat Hussain Andrabi to the playground. He said that there were many senior citizens. “Some of them were my classmates and some were more aged than me,” he said, adding that they all enjoyed playing in the playground after so many years.
He said that playing games is good for mental health. “We participated in race, carom and chess,” he said, adding it was like becoming a child again. He thanked the DYSS and ZPEO Pampore for inviting senior citizens to the event.
Talking to Kashmir Reader, Zonal Physical Education Officer Pampore, Masrat Hussain Andrabi, said that they had received an order from their higher offices for organising a sports festival for senior citizens. “We took a lead by organising this event in Pampore,” he said, adding that they received the instruction yesterday afternoon.
“The festival saw an overwhelming response from the senior citizens who participated in race, jogging, carom, cricket and chess. “They were happy and enjoyed the games,” he said and thanked the senior citizens and SDPO Pampore Mir Imtiyaz Ahmad Pampore for their valuable time.