By ~ Danishwar Hameed
KULGAM: The 13th District Level Tennis Ball Cricket Championship kicked off with great enthusiasm today in Kulgam, witnessing participation from over 500 players representing various parts of the district. The grand opening ceremony was jointly inaugurated by Additional Commissioner Revenue (ACR) Kulgam Riyaz Ahmed Shah, Principal of Ashiya Ali Academy, and Incharge SHO Neeraj Badyal.
Organized under the aegis of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, the championship is being conducted by the Tennis Ball Cricket Association of J&K in collaboration with the Kulgam Cricket Association and Local Tennis Ball Cricket Association.
The opening ceremony was attended by several notable dignitaries, including Mushtaq Ahmed Silroo, Secretary of the Tennis Ball Cricket Association J&K; Mushtaq Ahmed Turki, former president; and Dr. Muhammad Akbar, General Secretary of the Tennis Ball Cricket Association Kulgam and Organizing Secretary of the event.
The two-day tournament features 32 teams, including both boys and girls, competing in a series of matches aimed at nurturing local talent and fostering a vibrant sports culture in the region.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Muhammad Akbar highlighted the importance of such platforms in identifying and promoting budding cricketers from grassroots levels. He also expressed gratitude to the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council and other stakeholders for their continued support.
Players and spectators alike expressed joy at the opportunity to participate in a professionally organized tournament and hoped for more such initiatives in the future to support youth engagement in sports.
