‘Varmul Gindo’ Sports Fest Kicks Off in B’la with Army, J&K Sports Council Collaboration

Baramulla, June 17: In a landmark initiative to promote grassroots sports and community engagement, ‘Varmul Gindo’, the first-ever multi-discipline district sports festival, was inaugurated at Showket Ali Stadium, Baramulla Tuesday. The month-long extravaganza is being jointly organized by the J&K Sports Council, District Sports Association Baramulla, and the Indian Army (Chinar Corps) under Operation Sadhbhavna.
The festival features 18 sports disciplines including football, hockey, volleyball, handball, junior cricket, basketball, kabaddi, rugby, kho-kho, table tennis, badminton, chess, carrom, karate, wushu, athletics, bodybuilding, and powerlifting. Over 78 teams and 1,600 individual participants have registered across the district. President of the District Sports Association, Omar Kakroo, hailed the event as a historic step in nurturing youth potential. “Varmul Gindo represents a unified effort to channel the energy of Baramulla’s youth into healthy competition and skill-building. It’s a platform that encourages discipline, sportsmanship, and community spirit,” he said.
A sea of enthusiastic spectators and sports lovers witnessed the opening ceremony, where local dignitaries, civil society members, and Army officials praised the collaborative spirit of the fest. Junaid Mir, a student of GDC Baramulla, shared his excitement, stating: “I have never seen such a large-scale sports event here. We are thankful to the Indian Army for bringing such an opportunity to our doorstep.”
The Indian Army, a key supporter of the event, aims to strengthen civil-military relations and empower youth through sports. Their logistical and infrastructural support under Operation Sadhbhavna has played a pivotal role in realizing this ambitious initiative. The games will continue through July 2025, culminating in a grand closing ceremony where winners will be awarded and honoured for their achievements. The event not only fosters athletic excellence but also strengthens bonds across communities in Baramulla.