Shimla, Wednesday17: The 6th National Roller Netted Ball Championship 2023 took place from 11th to 14th May at the Senior Secondary School Lal Pani Skating Rink in Shimla. This prestigious event witnessed the participation of 11 states and 2 Union Territories, organized by the Roller Netted Ball Federation of India in collaboration with the International Roller Netted Ball organization.
The championship showcased thrilling matches between teams from different states, with Roller Netted Ball, an indigenous game of India originating from Kerala, taking center stage. Impressively, Jammu and Kashmir’s teams emerged as frontrunners, displaying exceptional skill and teamwork throughout the tournament.
Under the guidance of Ashraf Dijoo, a renowned pioneer and coach from J&K, the girls’ teams from Srinagar showcased their prowess. Dijoo had been instrumental in coaching the teams, which resulted in the participation of both the senior and sub-junior squads in the championship.
In a remarkable feat, J&K Team A, led by Captain Wafa Tariq, displayed extraordinary talent and determination in the final match against the reigning champions, Kerala. With a score of 5:2 goals, J&K emerged victorious, claiming the gold medal. Wafa Tariq herself scored three goals, while Quratul Ain contributed two goals, securing the lead. The outstanding defensive skills of Nahal Zehra and Shifa Tariq proved vital in J&K’s victory, setting a new national record.
The J&K sub-junior girls’ team, known as Cosmos, also showcased their skills and secured the silver medal by defeating Rajasthan with a solitary goal of 1:0. Fareeha Shakeel’s expert finish secured the victory and added to J&K’s medal tally.
The exceptional performance of the J&K teams brought immense pride to the Union Territory. This success was attributed to the close supervision and dynamic leadership of Coach Dijoo, who is widely recognized as a pioneer in numerous sports in J&K.
The closing ceremony witnessed the Joint Director of Education from Himachal Pradesh felicitating both the J&K teams and Coach Dijoo for their remarkable achievements. The event served as a platform to promote Roller Netted Ball and encourage the growth of indigenous sports in India.
