Jammu, Jan 9: The Jammu and Kashmir UT Volleyball (Men) team has been a standout performer in the ongoing 69th Senior National Volleyball Championship, being held at the iconic Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur from January 7 to 13.
Competing in Pool C, the team has maintained a commanding lead, defeating formidable opponents and earning widespread praise for their exceptional skills and teamwork. After registering decisive victories against Gujarat and Tripura, the J&K team triumphed over Bihar in a nail-biting match, winning by 3-2 sets. The scores were 24-26, 25-20, 25-18, 19-25, and 15-10, showcasing their resilience and strategic play.
Later in the evening, the team made history by defeating Uttar Pradesh 3-1, with scores of 17-25, 25-19, 25-18, and 25-21. The players—Mannat, Shahid, Pankaj, Ayaz Mandi, Shabir, and Musharraf—displayed extraordinary skills, mesmerizing spectators with powerful spikes and impeccable defensive techniques. Their remarkable performance has put J&K in a strong position to advance further in the championship, earning admiration from fans and volleyball enthusiasts alike.
In contrast, the J&K Women’s team faced challenges, suffering losses to Bihar and Gujarat but after coming back strongly J&K women defeated Sikkim by straight 3-0 sets. The scores were 25-11, 25-18 and 25-20. The seven-day-long championship was inaugurated by Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat as the Chief Guest, with Rajasthan’s Minister of Sports Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore presiding over the opening ceremony.
Distinguished dignitaries, including Prem Singh Bajor, members of the Adhoc Committee of the Volleyball Federation of India, Rohit Rajpal (Chairman of the Adhoc Committee), and Alaknanda Ashok (Member of the Adhoc Committee), graced the event. The opening ceremony featured a vibrant cultural program showcasing Rajasthan’s heritage, followed by an impressive march past of the 63 participating teams—34 in the men’s section and 29 in the women’s. Over 1,200 players and officials from across India are competing in this prestigious championship, which will conclude on January 13, 2025. The J&K Men’s team’s outstanding performance in Jaipur reflects their dedication and hard work. As the championship progresses, hopes are high that they will continue to excel and bring glory to the region. Their achievements serve as an inspiration for aspiring athletes from Jammu and Kashmir, demonstrating the immense potential and talent in the UT.
Placed in Pool-C, J&K shall now meet Manipur in the next match tomorrow. In a message sent to team, Patron-In-Chief Volleyball Association of Jammu and Kashmir, Raj Daluja and President Sidharth Daluja congratulated the boys’ team and officials for their brilliant display in the national championship and exhorted them to continue their efforts in achieving further success in the championship.
J&K TEAM: Shahid Majeed, Haroon Rashid, Shabir Ahmed Tantray, Mannat Choudhary, Pankaj Sharma, Viapn Kumar, Musharf Khan, Dilip Sharma, Sumit Singh, Parvinder Singh, Roman Hameed, Aijaz Ahmed Madni, Ayoush Sharma, Amit Singh. Team accompanying with Akbar Ali as Manager and NIS Volleyball Coaches Naresh Kumar and Prateek Kumar and Coaches.
