Jhajjar Kotli, Apr 17: Saying that wrestling competitions in the recent past have inspired the budding wrestlers to take up this traditional sport in a big way, Senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana Monday exuded confidence that given their talent and expertise the competitors will certainly make their mark in national and international events.
Speaking at the prize giving ceremony of Jhajjar Kotli Dangal Competition at Saloora in the Nagrota Assembly Constituency, Rana expressed satisfaction over rural sports gaining momentum and urged the youth to take up sports alongside academics, not only for their physical growth but also brightening their career prospectus.
He said the talented ones have a lot many opportunities and therefore they should concentrate on their chosen sports with the avowed objective of achieving excellence.
“No doubt popular sports like cricket, soccer and hockey have overtaken other traditional games but wrestling is making a comeback at the national and international levels”, he said adding that the Commonwealth Games have time and again acknowledged the relevance of wrestling as a premier sport and due impetus is given to its promotion. He urged the youth to come forward and show their talent on a bigger canvas.
Rana exuded confidence that various tourneys, especially in the segment of wrestling, will provide an opportunity to the budding wrestlers to benefit from veterans and emulate various techniques, which will sharpen their talent.
He lauded the participating wrestlers from Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan besides Jammu, Kathua and Samba and congratulated the winners for their excellent performance, hoping they will be a source of inspiration for scores of budding wrestlers of Jammu and its peripheries. He also complimented the organizers, Salora Dangal Committee, especially Mr Rajinder Kumar alias Pithi and the other members for holding these annual events on a regular basis to promote rural sports in the area.
In all 56 bouts were held during the event. Thousands of Dangal lovers from the peripheral areas and various parts of Jammu witnessed the Jhajjar Kotli Wrestling Competition and applauded the wrestlers for their performance.
Kalu Pahalwan of Punjab emerged as the champion in the event. He defeated Gani of Muneer Kotla.
