Around 3,000 athletes to compete in over 20 sporting disciplines as month-long event aims to nurture talent, strengthen social cohesion and inspire Kashmir’s youth.
INAYAT QAYOOM
Baramulla, June 29:
The third edition of Varmul Gindo 3.0, one of North Kashmir’s biggest sporting events, was inaugurated at Shoukat Ali Stadium in Baramulla on Monday, marking the beginning of a month-long sports festival aimed at promoting youth empowerment, community harmony and the spirit of peace.
Organised by the Dagger Division of the Indian Army in collaboration with the J&K Sports Council, District Youth Services and Sports Department, and the Baramulla Sports Association, the festival is expected to witness the participation of nearly 3,000 athletes from across Baramulla district.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Dagger Division, as the chief guest. Among those present were the MLAs of Baramulla and Gulmarg, Commander TMG Brigade, Arjuna Awardee Rupali Patel Singh, senior officials of the J&K Sports Council, civil administration, Army officers, sportspersons, students and local residents.
Held under the theme “Tarjuman-e-Aman” (Messenger of Peace), the event seeks to encourage sportsmanship, strengthen social cohesion and provide a platform for young talent across the district.
The month-long festival will feature competitions in more than 20 disciplines, including football, volleyball, rugby, hockey, handball, kabaddi, basketball, athletics, karate, wushu, chess, table tennis, snooker and tennis-ball cricket. The events will be conducted at over 15 venues across Baramulla district under the supervision of recognised sports federations and technical officials.
The festival was formally flagged off with a rugby match, symbolising teamwork, resilience and discipline.
Addressing the gathering, the GOC, Dagger Division, said the initiative was aimed at nurturing leadership, discipline and confidence among the youth while strengthening the values of peace, unity and national integration through sports.
The MLAs of Baramulla Javaid Hassan Beigh ,MLA Sngrama Adv Irfan Hafiz Lone and MLA Gulmarg Peerzada Farooq Ahmad Shah appreciated the collaborative efforts of the Indian Army, civil administration and sports bodies in creating opportunities for young people. They said such initiatives inspire youth to pursue excellence, adopt healthy lifestyles and contribute positively to society.
Interacting with the participants, Arjuna Awardee Rupali Patel Singh encouraged the young athletes to remain dedicated to their sporting aspirations, stressing that discipline, hard work and perseverance are the keys to success.
Besides identifying emerging sporting talent, the organisers said Varmul Gindo 3.0 aims to promote inclusivity, strengthen community bonds and foster a culture of peace through sports across the Kashmir Valley.