JAMMU, NOVEMBER 15, KDC: Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Planning, Development and Monitoring Department and ARI Trainings, Mir Saifullah, today inaugurated the 70th National School Games U-17 Girls’ Cricket championship at the floodlit grounds of Jammu University, amid an impressive and colourful opening ceremony attended by players, officials and sports enthusiasts.
The six-day National-level championship, being held from 15 to 20 November, has brought together 29 teams representing States, Union Territories and recognised school sports organisations. The tournament is being organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Jammu and Kashmir, under the aegis of the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), with matches being played at seven venues, including the Jammu University and Tawa grounds under floodlights.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister appreciated the organisers for putting together an impressive sporting event, emphasising that such competitions play a significant role in promoting physical fitness, teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship among young athletes.
Mir Saifullah said the championship provides a valuable platform for talented girls to showcase their abilities, gain competitive exposure, build confidence and pursue sporting excellence at the national level.
“For me, all participants are champions, and champions are geniuses. I hope all teams have come prepared after rigorous groundwork,” the Minister remarked.
The Minister said that championship has brought together promising young cricketers from across the country, turning Jammu into a vibrant hub of sporting talent, healthy competition and camaraderie.
Urging the players to uphold the spirit, dignity and discipline of the game, Mir Saifullah said that enthusiastic spectator participation also motivates athletes and enhances the sporting atmosphere. He appreciated the Department of Youth Services and Sports for making elaborate arrangements for the event.
Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries and participants, Director General, Youth Services and Sports Anuradha Gupta highlighted the department’s achievements and informed that Jammu and Kashmir had successfully hosted two national-level sporting events during the current season, emerging champions in both. She expressed confidence that the J&K U-17 girls’ team would put up an impressive performance in the championship.
Before the ceremonial toss, the Minister was introduced to the participating contingents. He also demonstrated his cricketing skills by facing a few deliveries, formally marking the commencement of the tournament amid cheers and applause.
Among those present were Joint Director, Youth Services and Sports, Jammu, Inderjeet Singh Parihar; Joint Director, Youth Services and Sports, Kashmir, Mohd Rashid Kohli; Additional Secretary and Deputy Director, YSS Central, Tina Mahajan; Deputy Director, YSS Planning, Megha Boagia; besides senior departmental officers, coaches, team managers and other dignitaries.
Meanwhile, As many as 12 matches were played across six venues on the opening day, while the 13th encounter between Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand was underway under floodlights at the University of Jammu.
At JP World School, Haryana registered a convincing 40-run victory over Chandigarh. Batting first, Haryana posted 157 for three, powered by a spectacular unbeaten century from Deepanshi, who scored 100 runs off just 45 deliveries. In reply, Chandigarh managed 117 runs. Deepanshi was adjudged Player of the Match. In the other encounter at the venue, Andhra Pradesh defeated Odisha by 22 runs.
At Kirpalpur Ground, Gujarat registered a comprehensive 104-run victory over NVS, with Krisha Makwana producing a magnificent unbeaten knock of 133 runs off 73 balls. In the second match, DAV secured a closely contested two-wicket win over West Bengal.
At Mandal Ground, Puducherry defeated Chhattisgarh by five wickets.
At Tawa-1, Delhi overcame Madhya Pradesh by three wickets after restricting the latter to a modest total of 57 runs before successfully chasing the target.
At K2 Ground, Kerala registered a commanding 122-run victory over CISCE, while Maharashtra dominated Karnataka with a massive 130-run win.
The opening day witnessed some outstanding batting performances, with Deepanshi’s explosive 45-ball century and Krisha Makwana’s unbeaten 133 emerging as the highlights of the day’s proceedings.
The Jammu and Kashmir–Uttarakhand encounter was underway at the time of filing this report, with the championship continuing until November 20 across the designated venues. (KDC)