Udhampur |: The district Udhampur witnessed a proud and momentous occasion as it hosted the Asmita Athletic League, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India and the Athletic Federation of India.
The event brought together under-14 and under-16 girls, showcasing their athletic excellence and competitive spirit.
The opening ceremony was graced by Deputy Commissioner, Saloni Rai as the chief guest. The event recorded an impressive participation of around 350 young girl athletes, reflecting the district’s growing commitment to women-led sports development.
Sunil Sharma, President, Athletic Association Udhampur, along with his team, warmly welcomed the chief guest.
While addressing the participants, the DC extended her best wishes and expressed immense pride in witnessing such a large number of girls taking the lead in sports. She emphasized that sports not only empower youth physically but also contribute significantly to mental well-being, helping overcome challenges such as stress, anxiety and even depression. She further reiterated the district’s commitment towards promoting the ideals of Nasha Mukt Bharat, encouraging youth to embrace a healthy, disciplined and drug-free lifestyle through active sports participation.
The Closing Ceremony was presided over by the MLA Udhampur West, Pawan Kumar Gupta, who applauded the resilience, dedication and talent of the participating athletes. The MLA emphasized that sports serve as a transformative force instilling discipline, character and leadership and play a pivotal role in steering youth away from substance abuse, thereby strengthening the vision of a Nasha Mukt and physically robust India.
Later, President Sunil Sharma extended heartfelt gratitude to the DYSSO Udhampur and the entire DYSSO team for their unwavering on-ground and logistical support, which ensured the flawless execution of the league.
The event was anchored by Amit Sharma and operational coordination was supported by Suraj Bhan, Manager Sports Council.
The ceremony was also attended by Jaswinder Singh, Naveen Sharma, Vikas Sharma, Sanjay Sharma, Swarandeep Singh, Tara, Jatin Sethi and several other prominent citizens who added grace to the occasion.
