Jammu, Aug 11: The Department of Youth Services and Sports (YSS) J&K today launched the Under-17 Inter-District Football Championship at the Khel Gaon Sports Complex in Nagrota, marking the start of an exciting provincial-level competition.As per a statement issued here, the tournament, featuring young talents from across Jammu province, aims to identify and nurture promising footballers for higher-level competitions. Organised under the guidance of DG YSS Anuradha Gupta, the championship saw enthusiastic participation from nine districts, with over 160 young athletes competing on the opening day. The DYSSO Jammu interacted with players, emphasising the importance of sportsmanship and competitive spirit. A team of experienced technical officials ensured the smooth conduct of matches under established sporting regulations. The tournament opener witnessed District Samba dominate District Udhampur with a convincing 4–0 victory. In one of the day’s most thrilling encounters, District Poonch edged past District Rajouri via a tiebreaker after a fiercely contested match. District Doda showcased exceptional skill with a 5–0 rout of District Reasi, while District Kishtwar secured a comfortable 2–0 win against District Kathua. The host team, District Jammu, made a strong statement with a 3–0 victory over District Samba. The championship continues to promise high-octane football action as teams battle for supremacy in the coming days.