Jammu, Feb 16: Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani inaugurated the 4-day long 18th J&K UT Wushu Championship in an impressive, colourful and well-attended function at Indoor Hall Bhagwati Nagar, here Sunday.
Around 1200 Wushu players from 19 Districts, 6 Khelo India Centres and J&K Police are taking part in the Championship to vie for the top honours. While Nasir Aslam was the Chief Guest on the occasion, Ace Sports Administrator and Member J&K Sports Council, Ranjeet Kalra presided over the function. The other guests included Rajeev Sharma, Member Sports Council; Touseef Raina Mayor Baramulla; Sadat Aslam Wani, Vice President, Kirti Dhar, Senior Sports Journalist; Ritika Singh, Manager Indoor Sports Complex Bhagwati Nagar; Pawandeep Kour, Athletic Coach; Maqsood Rather, Joint Secretary Wushu Association; Ranjeet Singh, International Footballer; Ajay Paul Gill amd Nissar Ahmed Mir. Speaking on occasion, the Chief Guest appreciated Wushu Association of J&K for taking this sport to every nook and corner of the Union Territory of J&K, He congratulated Dronacharya Awardee Kuldeep Handoo for taking the Wushu to the new heights. While congratulating the medallists of 38th National Games in Wushu, Nasir Aslam appreciated the role of J&K Sports Council for promoting sports even in far off areas.
He said sports play a pivotal role in shaping the careers of youth, besides inculcating in them discipline and infusing self-confidence. While advising parents to guide their wards to take sports and other allied activities, Wani said enhancing sports culture is the priority and the Government is committed to making J&K a sporting hub. On the occasion, the Chief Guest while felicitating the medal winners of Wushu in the prestigious 38th National Games and IWUF Wing chun medals in China, wished them good luck for future endeavours. The awardees were Surya Bhanu Partap Singh (Gold), Kamran Mohd Shamas (Gold), Ayeera Chisti (Silver), Ishant Singh, Rohan Sharma, Saleem Kumar and Arjun Sharma (All Bronze).
Earlier, Ranjeet Kalra, Vice President of Wushu Association of Jammu and Kashmir presented welcome address and thanked Advisor to Chief Minister for sparing his valuable time to grace the occasion. He also highlighted the activities and achievements of Wushu across J&K and the country as well. Meanwhile on the inaugural day, the Sub-Junior boys and girls fought for the yellow metal, while Sub-Junior and Junior category boys and girls will fight for the podium tomorrow (Monday). Kuldeep Handoo presented a vote of thanks and requested the Government to set up a Wushu Academy in J&K. He assured Wushu will be the top sport in the world soon. The proceedings of the programme were conducted by Rajesh Dhar.
