Bharat Priye calls for youth empowerment through sports at Pargwal Volleyball Tournament

• JKPCC Kissan Department Chairman stresses role of sports in social harmony and youth development

PARGWAL: Chairman of the JKPCC Kissan Department, senior Congress leader Bharat Priye, today inaugurated the Jai Baba Dharam Chand Ji Open Volleyball Tournament at Chibban De Kothey, Pargwal, where he highlighted the importance of sports in channelizing the energy of youth and promoting social harmony in rural areas.

The tournament, which witnessed enthusiastic participation from local youth and sports lovers, was sponsored by Sachin Manhas, Anku and Jannu. The event was organised by a dedicated team of local volunteers including Subash Singh, Yash Singh, Nitin Singh, Babblu Singh, Gulshan Singh, Ramesh Singh, Raman Singh, Abhi Singh, Avinash Singh, Bunty Chib, Jagdish Singh, Golu Singh, Vijay Singh, Rahul Singh, Krish Singh, Gharu, Vishu, Kalu, Shubham Singh, Sandhok Singh, Nihal Singh, Samer Singh, Rohit Singh, Dhoni, Gourav, Babbu Chib and Jeeta, who were widely appreciated for their efforts in successfully conducting the tournament.

Speaking on the occasion as the Chief Guest, Bharat Priye said that sports play a vital role in building a healthy and progressive society. He said tournaments like these provide a constructive platform for youth to showcase their talent, develop discipline and strengthen bonds of brotherhood and unity in society.“Rural sports events are essential for identifying hidden talent among our youth. If provided proper facilities and encouragement, our young players can bring laurels to the region and the country,” he said.

Highlighting broader public issues, Bharat Priye also stressed the need for greater investment in sports infrastructure in rural areas, including playgrounds, training facilities and support for local clubs. He said that encouraging youth to engage in sports activities can also play a significant role in keeping them away from social evils such as drug abuse, which has become a growing concern in Jammu and Kashmir.He further said that youth empowerment must remain a priority for society as well as the government. “Sports not only strengthen physical fitness but also instill values of teamwork, leadership and discipline among young people,” he added.

The tournament witnessed several exciting matches, drawing large crowds of spectators who cheered enthusiastically for their teams. The final match was played between Meira Mandrian and Pallan Wala teams, in which Pallan Wala emerged victorious after a spirited contest.The entry fee for participating teams was Rs 700, while the winner and runner-up prizes were Rs 15,000 and Rs 7,000 respectively.

On the occasion, Chief Guest Bharat Priye distributed trophies, cash prizes and certificates among the winning and runner-up teams, besides presenting consolation prizes to other participating players.The event concluded with appreciation for the organisers and sponsors for promoting sports culture in the region and providing a platform for young players to display their skills and sportsmanship.