Budgam, May 02: With the onset of the new year, the Youth Services and Sports Department has been actively engaging students across various zones of Budgam district through events such as road races and cycling. This wave of sporting enthusiasm has also reached Hardu Panzo, a remote area situated at the foothills of the renowned tourist destinations Tosa Maidan and Doodhpathri.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of In-charge Zonal Physical Officer Sheikh Farooq Ahmad, a range of sporting events has been initiated in the zone, including road races, cycling, kabaddi, and volleyball. As part of this initiative, the Under-14 and Under-17 Boys’ Kabaddi tournaments were recently launched at the High School Arizal Ground, where a large number of students participated with great enthusiasm, displaying commendable skill and sportsmanship.
During the opening ceremony, Sheikh Farooq Ahmad encouraged students to participate actively in sports and to steer clear of drugs, highlighting the department’s responsibility to provide such platforms for youth development. On this occasion, sports teacher Ajaz Ahmad Dar, popularly known as Hotline, also stressed the importance of nurturing a sporting spirit among children. According to Mr Dar, identifying and developing talent at the grassroots level is part of a broader mission, with a meticulous selection process underway in each event to prepare a strong contingent for the forthcoming provincial-level competitions — with the ultimate aim of bringing recognition to Zone Hardu Panzo.
