Srinagar, May 27 – The Youth Services and Sports Department of Jammu and Kashmir (YSS) is dedicated to nurturing sports talent among the youth at grassroots levels, according to the Director of YSS, Subash C Chhibber. The department is taking proactive measures to engage a maximum number of youngsters in games and recreational sports.
In line with this commitment, the Department has implemented Daily YSS Roundups, which have significantly increased the visibility of departmental activities, as highlighted by the Joint Director of YSS, Waseem Raja. The Department has appointed District Publicity Coordinators from all 20 districts of the Union Territory, who work closely with the Media & Publicity Wing to ensure extensive coverage of their initiatives through various mass media channels. This renewed media campaign aims to attract more youth towards sports in the future.
Under the umbrella of YSS, numerous sports activities have successfully engaged thousands of youth in various games and competitions. In North Kashmir’s Bandipora district, the Department organized a plantation drive and Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan program at BHSS Dawar Gurez Bandipora. This event focused on raising awareness about drug abuse prevention and environmental conservation.
Furthermore, an inter-school volleyball and kabaddi tournament for U14/U17 boys took place at HK Stadium Gurez. The tournament aimed to promote physical fitness, teamwork, and healthy competition among young athletes.
In Baramullah, an inter-school road race was organized to encourage sportsmanship and healthy competition among young athletes. The road race witnessed enthusiastic participation from both boys and girls under 14/17 categories in Zone Jhulla and Zone Sopore.
Meanwhile, in Pulwama district, a group of students from different institutions went on a nature walk through the Dachigaam wildlife sanctuary. This trip, supervised by DYSSO Pulwama and other officials, aimed to provide students with an immersive experience in a natural environment, promoting attention spans, self-discipline, creativity, physical fitness, and social connection.
Additionally, football tournaments for girls were organized in Zone Kakapora and Awantipora, witnessing a high level of participation.
In Kulgam’s Sports Zone Yaripora, an inter-school zonal level competition in volleyball and kabaddi for boys under 14 and under 17 categories was held at BHSS Yaripora, with active participation from 544 students. The inaugural ceremony also included a special anti-drug pledge to raise awareness about the menace of drugs.
YSS Shopian organized a kabaddi match for girls in the U/14 and U/17 age groups in Zainepora, while a cricket match for U/19 girls took place in Zone Imamsahib.
In Anantnag district, a variety of sports activities were conducted. The Department initiated sports events specifically for tribal communities, which saw enthusiastic participation in games such as tug of war, kabaddi, volleyball, carom, and chess.
Other activities included inter-school competitions in volleyball, kabaddi, and kho-kho for girls under 14 years of age in Sports Zone Mattan, as well as one-day trekking events for students in Sports Zone Dooru & Verinag.
Inter-school zonal level events were also held in different zones, such as Khan Sahib, Budgam, Charari-sharief, and Nagam, featuring activities like trekking, competitions for girls, and tug of war.
The Department of Youth Services and Sports in Jammu and Kashmir remains dedicated to promoting sports among the youth, ensuring their holistic development and encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle.
