Jammu, Dec 19: Director General of Police (DGP) J&K Dilbag Singh on Monday declared open a month-long 11th Police Martyrs Memorial T-20 Championship at Sports Stadium Kathua.
On the occasion, the DGP said the people of the Kathua district have always overwhelmingly supported every sports activity held here. He appreciated the role of the Shaheed Welfare Committee Kathua and its sponsors in organizing tournaments of this scale. Singh said that 11 teams out of 16 are from different states of North India. “This shows the kind of popularity this tournament has been able to generate,” he said.
Stressing for making the tournament even bigger, the DGP desired that each team should get sponsored. “Besides this, J&K Police has been organizing different tournaments and events in memory of our bravehearts across the UT and shortly a martyrs’ memorial football tournament is scheduled to commence in Srinagar,” he said.
The ADGP Jammu in his address said the relationship between police and the public is very strong in Kathua district and the people of the district have always supported J&K Police endeavors in organizing sports events. He appreciated the participation of all the teams and said the participation of outside UT teams has increased the level of competition.
“The tournament is being organized every year in memory of our martyrs and looking after the families of our martyrs has always been the utmost priority of J&K Police,” the ADGP said. He also thanked the UT government for renaming the schools and other important places in the name of martyrs.
The welcome address was presented by SSP Kathua R.C Kotwal and a vote of thanks by Ravinder Slathia.
In this championship, sixteen times – Life Care Lucknow, Gurgaon SPJ Xi, Haryana Cricket Academy, Run Star Delhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri Cricket Club Delhi, Amigos Panipat, Jalandhar Sports Club Xi, Sabi Cricket Club Hoshiarpur, Krishnam 11 Amritsar, Vicky Cricket Club Pathankot, DPS Himachal, GSI Tiger Srinagar, Game Changer Jammu, KKR Marheen, District Kathua Cricket Association and Jammu & Kashmir Police are taking part. The inaugural match was played between Sabi Cricket Club and Haryana Cricket Academy.
The tournament winner will be rewarded with a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 3.50 lakh, while the runner-up team will receive a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 2.50 lakh. The Man of the Series will be awarded a Maruti Alto 800 car, while a motorcycle will be awarded to the best batsman and best bowler of the tournament.
Talking to media persons, the DGP said, “T-20 Martyrs Cricket Championship is being organized every year to pay tributes to our fallen heroes and the tournament is gaining popularity with every passing year. J&K Police with the support of the people and the youth have been organizing different tournaments and events in memory of martyrs across J&K. In the coming few days a grand event of football tournament is scheduled to commence in Srinagar.”
