In Saitual, the meeting was attended by District Collector Shriniwas Sadi, Superintendent of Police Vivek Kumar Maurya, senior officials and representatives of sports federations and community organisations.

Substance-abuse prevention among youth was a key issue discussed during the meeting. Khadse stressed greater coordination between youth groups, community organisations and law-enforcement agencies under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. She also called for peer-led awareness programmes and sustained community-level interventions.

The meeting reviewed agriculture and horticulture activities, particularly the need to improve market access and supply linkages for Mizoram’s organic produce. Sports representatives also raised infrastructure and athlete-development requirements.

Khadse emphasised that sports infrastructure needs to be supported by regular coaching, structured training and sustained assistance to athletes. She also highlighted the Khelo India Scheme for expanding grassroots sporting opportunities.

In Kolasib, Khadse chaired a separate district review meeting attended by District Collector H. Dolianbuaia, Superintendent of Police Lalrinpuia Varte and senior district officials.

Road connectivity was among the major issues reviewed, with officials discussing access to markets, essential services and economic opportunities. The Minister also reviewed healthcare infrastructure, including the Community Health Centre, five Primary Health Centres and the nursing school.

Agriculture was another focus, with officials briefing the Minister on the role of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK). More than 10,000 farmers are active in the district, while the KVK provides technical guidance to over 5,000 growers, besides facilitating inter-state internships and visiting faculty programmes.

The review also covered 102 functioning cooperatives, largely engaged in agriculture, and the Janaushadhi Kendra, with discussions on strengthening livelihoods and community-level economic activity.

Khadse reviewed the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), including issues related to portal access that had affected sanctions during 2025–26. Officials also discussed expediting assistance for 25 identified local enterprises, including furniture workshops, grocery stores and mineral-water units.

While reviewing the Public Distribution System and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, the Minister directed officials to address gaps in beneficiary data and maintain accurate records to ensure eligible households receive the intended benefits.

Sports infrastructure and athlete development also figured prominently in the Kolasib meeting. Football, hockey and wrestling were identified as major sporting disciplines in the district. The need for a dedicated training centre was discussed to provide athletes with structured coaching and regular training.

Khadse also reviewed sports infrastructure being developed under the VB-GRAM-G initiative, including football and volleyball grounds and maintenance of existing facilities. She suggested developing sports grounds across the district’s 51 villages to improve access for young people.

Youth mobilisation and substance-abuse prevention were also discussed. Officials briefed the Minister on Nasha Mukt initiatives, while the District Youth Officer informed the meeting that around 9,000 youth are registered on the MY Bharat platform in Kolasib.

Khadse called for greater mobilisation of MY Bharat volunteers for awareness activities and stronger coordination between volunteers and the Police Department.

The Minister stressed the need to channelise youth towards sports, education, entrepreneurship, community service and productive livelihoods. She also emphasised accurate beneficiary data, inter-departmental coordination and continuous engagement with local communities for effective implementation of government schemes.

The meetings concluded with emphasis on coordination among district administrations, police, sports bodies, youth institutions, agricultural organisations, cooperatives and community groups for improving development outcomes and creating greater opportunities for young people in Saitual and Kolasib.

The tournament is being hosted by the Youth Services and Sports Department, Kulgam, and organised under the supervision of the Joint Director, Youth Services and Sports, Kashmir, with participation from all districts of the Kashmir Division.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Kulgam appreciated the efforts of the Youth Services and Sports Department in providing young athletes with opportunities to showcase their talent and encouraged the youth of Jammu & Kashmir to actively participate in sports, maintain discipline, and contribute positively to society.

“Sports are also very important for health. They keep us physically active and help reduce mental stress. They are beneficial for everyone from children and young people to adults and senior citizens. Even simple activities such as walking, taking a few steps regularly and remaining physically active can make a huge contribution for good health”,said MLA in his address.

Eight matches were played in the inaugural day of competition with participating teams exhibiting at a great level of talent and sportsmanship.

The event was attended by numerous sports enthusiasts, locals and dignitaries including ex DDC chairperson Kulgam and other citizens along with sports persons and officials.

Srinagar : Minister for FS&CA, IT,  Youth Services and Sports,  Science and Technology  Satish Sharma and Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, Tuesday  highlighted the importance of providing sustained platforms to young sporting talent and strengthening the sports ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir while attending the opening day of the Greenlam Laminates BIG Premier League 2026 at Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar.

The Minister and the Advisor interacted with participating teams and players and appreciated the organisers for bringing together emerging cricketers from across Jammu and Kashmir through the league.

Satish Sharma said that sporting events such as the BIG Premier League provide young people with an important platform to demonstrate their talent, discipline, determination and competitive spirit.

He said that the Government is committed to promoting sports at the grassroots level and creating an enabling environment where talented youngsters can pursue their sporting aspirations and potentially make sports a career.

“Jammu and Kashmir has immense sporting talent, and our responsibility is to provide our youth with the right facilities, opportunities and platforms to realise their potential. Events like the BIG Premier League give young cricketers an opportunity to compete, gain experience and showcase their abilities before a wider audience,” the Minister said.

Satish Sharma congratulated the organisers, participating teams, players and partners for the initiative and expressed hope that the league would inspire more youngsters to take up cricket and other sporting disciplines with dedication and professionalism.

He said that besides promoting competitive sport, such tournaments also contribute towards building discipline, teamwork, leadership qualities and a positive outlook among young people.

Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani said that the Government attaches considerable importance to encouraging youth participation in sports and providing emerging talent with opportunities to compete at a higher level.

He appreciated the initiative for bringing together the sporting community and said that well-organised leagues provide young players with valuable exposure and experience while also creating greater public interest in sports.

“The talent among our youngsters is immense. What is required is a sustained ecosystem of competition, coaching, exposure and encouragement. Platforms like the BIG Premier League can play an important role in identifying and nurturing promising cricketers,” the Advisor said.

Nasir Aslam congratulated Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council, 92.7 BIG FM, participating teams and all partners for organising the tournament and wished the players and teams success for the competition.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Haseeb Ul Rehman, DIG Traffic Kashmir, representatives of participating teams, tournament partners and members of the organising team.

The opening match of the tournament saw Sultan Warriors Baramulla register a convincing seven-wicket victory over Valley Fresh Cold Chain.

Sultan Warriors Baramulla won the toss and elected to field first. Chasing the target set by Valley Fresh Cold Chain, Sultan Warriors completed the run chase comfortably to begin their tournament campaign on a winning note.

Lakhan Bharti was the star performer for Sultan Warriors, scoring an impressive 72 runs and also claiming a wicket. He was adjudged Player of the Match for his all-round contribution.

The second match of the opening day featured United Imports Srinagar and Royal Goodwill Cricket Club, with United Imports Srinagar winning the toss and electing to field first.

The Greenlam Laminates BIG Premier League 2026 is being organised by 92.7 BIG FM in collaboration with the Jammu &Kashmir Sports Council. Eight teams are participating in the tournament, with the league stage scheduled from September 15 to 20, followed by the quarter-finals on September 21, semi-finals on September 22 and the grand finale on September 23.

The tournament is supported by Greenlam Laminates as Title Partner; Excise Department, J&K as Powered By Partner; J&K Forest Department, Quereshi Kabab Corner and Kanwal Spices as Co-Powered By Partners; J&K Bank as Official Banking Partner; Arsh Autos as Auto Partner; Le Delice as Food Partner; JK Sports Time as Streaming Partner; Rising Kashmir as Print Partner; The Country Side Resorts as Hospitality Partner; and Team Ideation as Event Partner.

The duo become the first Sabre fencers from J&K to earn selection to the Asian Games. Shriya will compete in the Women’s Sabre Individual and Team events, while Vishal will represent India in the Men’s Sabre Team event.

Ahead of their departure, Tazayun Mukhtar Kawos, Secretary, J&K Sports Council, met with the two athletes to wish them well and see them off.

Speaking after the meeting, Tazayun said, “Meeting Shriya and Vishal before they leave for Japan was a proud moment for all of us at the Sports Council. What they’ve achieved, becoming the first Sabre fencers from J&K to reach the Asian Games, is the result of years of discipline and hard work. The whole J&K is behind them, and we can’t wait to see them compete on that stage and bring laurels to the country.”

This camp is another of the several such initiatives taken where international athletes have utilised Sports Authority of India facilities ahead of the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19. Boxers from Nepal trained at the SAI Guwahati campus while kabaddi players from Iran used the SAI Sonepat campus as their training bases.

These camps underline the growing role of India’s SAI centres as high-performance hubs capable of supporting international athletes in their preparation for major competitions.

For the Thiruvananthapuram camp, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) had requested SAI LNCPE in July to facilitate the Malaysian delegation’s boarding, lodging and training arrangements at no cost to Sports Authority of India.

For Malaysian athletics coach Azarudeen, the choice of India was also a natural one. A former Indian athlete and national team member, he was previously associated with SAI Bangalore before joining Malaysian Athletics.

“I was part of the Indian national team from 2020 to 2025. Then I resigned from SAI Bangalore and joined Malaysian Athletics. So, it is not a surprise for me to be here in India,” Azarudeen told SAI Media. “I know our facilities are very good, and I think it is a good opportunity for Malaysian Athletics to get exposure here.”

The coach said the objective of bringing his Malaysian wards to India was primarily to expose them to a stronger competitive training environment and allow them to train alongside Indian athletes. “The first thing is exposure, to know what the Indian standards are. My main objective is for Malaysian middle- and long-distance athletes to see what facilities we have in India. The second thing is training and sparring with Indian athletes, which is more beneficial for them,” said Azarudeen.

Azarudeen stressed that exposure to the level of competition in India was more relevant to his athletes than preparing in a European environment. “It is very important for us in preparing for the Asian Games. I didn’t choose any European countries or other countries with European standards where they compete in European championships. The Asian Games are a top priority for us,” Azarudeen added.

The camp also provided Malaysia with an opportunity to compete during its stay in India. Participating in the World Athletics Continental Tour – Silver Level Meeting in Bhubaneswar on August 22 was part of the plans. “When they come and compete in India, they can experience the level of competition here. India is very dominant in the Asian Games. Last year, India won a lot of medals, including 16 medals from athletes who trained at SAI Bangalore itself.

“So, spending quality time here and training with these athletes is very important for the Malaysians before the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. When they come to India, they can compete with athletes here, and moreover, it helps them improve their race strategies and the way they think about races,” said Azarudeen.

The Malaysian athletes were also able to experience the training environment at SAI Thiruvananthapuram, which Azarudeen described as particularly valuable given the centre’s association with Indian athletes who have gone on to represent the country at the highest level.

“SAI Thiruvananthapuram is something very special. It is important to note the Olympians who represented India trained in Thiruvananthapuram SAI centre. That makes it special. I can say it is a lucky training centre,” he said.

The Malaysian coach said the experience had also created an opportunity for greater sporting interaction between the two countries. “The culture that is shared between Malaysian Athletics and Indian Athletics is something that has been memorable. It is a lesson for them that they will carry for a lifetime, and it will take them towards victory. That is why I brought them here, and it is always special to train here,” he told SAI Media, adding that exchange programmes will help both Malaysia and India boost competitive levels.

The felicitation ceremony was held at the Jammu Division office, where Singhal congratulated Sharma on his outstanding achievement and lauded his dedication to both his professional responsibilities and sporting career.

The Senior National Powerlifting Championship was held from August 28 to September 3, 2026, and witnessed the participation of around 300 powerlifters from across the country.

Representing Jammu and Kashmir, Sharma delivered an exceptional performance, recording a squat of 400 kg, the highest among the participating lifters. He registered an overall total lift of 897.5 kg, which was also the highest total recorded in the championship.

His performance has earned him selection for the upcoming Asian Powerlifting Championship and Federation Cup 2026, further adding to his sporting achievements.

Felicitating Sharma, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Jammu, Shri Uchit Singhal, said that the achievement reflected his hard work, discipline and determination.

“Gaurav Sharma has achieved this historic accomplishment through his hard work, discipline and strong willpower. Winning a gold medal at the national level while discharging his duties as a hardworking Ticket Checking Staff in the Commercial Department is a matter of pride for the entire Jammu Division,” Singhal said.

He said Sharma had brought recognition not only to Jammu and Kashmir but also to the Northern Railway family.

“This achievement is an inspiration for other railway employees and the youth. The Jammu Division family appreciates his success and wishes him a bright future in the upcoming Asian Championship,” he added.

The event saw enthusiastic participation, concluding with the distribution of mementos, certificates, medals, and sports kits among the participants.

Police inaugurates T-20 knockout cricket tournament in G’bal

K H News Service

G’bal | September 15: Police on Tuesday inaugurated a T-20 Knockout Cricket Tournament at Madr-e-Meharban Qamariya Stadium under the Civic Action Programme (CAP).

Presided over by Dy SP Headquarters Ganderbal Dr. Urfan and Dy SP DAR Ganderbal Altaf Khan, the tournament features 64 local teams. The opening match was won by Libra Saloora against Same Stars Nunner, with Aqib Parra awarded Player of the Match.

Police organises T20 Knockout cricket tournament in Budgam

K H News Service

B’gam | September 15: Police on Tuesday inaugurated a T20 Knockout Cricket Tournament at Sports Stadium, Budgam, as part of the Civic Action Programme (CAP) 2026-27.

The event was inaugurated by SSP Budgam Hariprasad K K alongside Addl. SP Budgam Sajjad Hussain. The opening match was played between PGC Gogar and Sholipora 11.

Police inaugurates Cricket, Kho-Kho Tournaments in Sopore

K H News Service

Sopore| September 15: Police on Tuesday inaugurated a T-10 Cricket Tournament at MET Ground, Sopore, and a Kho-Kho Tournament at Heritage High School, Hygam, under CAP 2026-27.

Featuring 16 cricket teams and 8 Kho-Kho teams, the events aim to encourage sports talent and build constructive engagement among local youth.

The championship is being held at Government Boys High School, Bagh, Bandipora. The initiative aims to encourage young people to take part in sports, provide them a platform to showcase their talent and keep them engaged in positive activities.

DySP Headquarters Bandipora Zafar Mehdi attended the opening ceremony as the chief guest. SHO Bandipora Qaisar Bashir and Padma Shri awardee and NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyan Brand Ambassador Faisal Ali Dar were also present on the occasion.

The opening match was played between Young Spikers Bandipora and Nadim Volleyball Club.

Young Spikers Bandipora won the match 2-0 after securing the first set 25-15 and the second set 25-21.

The championship will feature teams from different parts of Bandipora in a knockout format.

Speaking to the media, Padma Shri awardee and NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyan Brand Ambassador Faisal Ali Dar said the tournament would help promote a strong sports culture in Bandipora and provide youth with a positive platform to showcase their talent.

“I invite all volleyball lovers of Bandipora to come and enjoy this tournament. Through this tournament, we want to promote a strong sports culture in Bandipora. A total of 16 teams have registered for the tournament, and we are happy to see such an encouraging response from the youth. The District Police is also making every effort to make this tournament successful and better organised,”Faisal Ali Dar, Padma Shri awardee and Brand Ambassador for the NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyan.

As part of the ongoing anti-drug campaign, the District Administration and Police are promoting sports among youth.

Various sports activities are being encouraged to keep young people engaged in positive pursuits.

The initiative aims to provide youth with healthy platforms to showcase their talent.

It also seeks to channel their energy towards productive activities and away from drugs.

Emphasising the importance of sports.

“The District Administration and Police are continuously running campaigns against drugs. When our youth remain engaged in sports activities, they are more likely to stay away from drugs. Our aim is to provide young people with positive platforms where they can showcase their talent and stay connected with sports,” he added.

New Delhi, : A bronze medallist at the Asian championships in China in January 2026, Varun Sanyal will be a serious medal prospect in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), a discipline that will make its debut at the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya.

Now a professional, Varun is part of a two-member Indian team that will represent the country in a sport that is fast gaining popularity in Asia. Suchika Tariyal Hooda, who represented India at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou in kurash, will feature in the 60 kg division for women.

Varun, a first-class business management honours graduate from Queen Mary University of London, will feature in the men’s traditional 77 kg division in Aichi-Nagoya. His initial interest in combat sports was influenced by WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) and TNA (Total Nonstop Action wrestling). A Rocky Balboa fan, Varun’s interest deepened after watching Indian wrestlers Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt succeed at the 2012 London Olympics.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DdQwEvplD1j/?stkn=MTN4MW9ybnRqcncydw==

“Seeing our Olympians succeed really drew me towards martial arts and eventually towards MMA. MMA is, in many ways, the most primal form of sport and competition, so I was naturally drawn to it. It’s also a life skill. Learning how to defend yourself, stay calm under pressure and make decisions when you’re under physical threat are incredibly important skills. Having to make decisions under pressure, sometimes with very serious consequences, has been one of the biggest learnings I’ve taken from MMA,” Varun told SAI Media.

Varun comes from a distinguished family with a strong intellectual and public-service background. He is the son of Sanjeev Sanyal, noted economist, author and member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, and Smita Barooah. His family also has a significant legacy associated with India’s freedom movement, with his great-granduncle Sachindranath Sanyal being a prominent revolutionary and co-founder of the Hindustan Republican Association. Varun’s WhatsApp display photo shows him posing alongside PM Modi.

“I was especially proud to represent MMA in front of the Prime Minister of India, make him aware of the sport and educate him a little bit about what MMA is. It was a very brief interaction, of course, but the opportunity alone meant a lot to me. I’m very hopeful that as the sport continues to grow in India, PM Modi will take an even greater interest in it,” said Varun.

Varun’s journey in MMA is distinctive not only for his achievements in the sport but also for the diverse sporting background that shaped his development. Growing up in Singapore, he participated in cricket, football, athletics, squash and powerlifting before progressing to wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, and ultimately MMA.

“Growing up, I remember my father taking me out to the field and kicking a football around with me. He would take me to play squash, we’d sometimes go on random runs, and he’d make us do exercises together. Even when I was very young, he put me into taekwondo classes, although I wasn’t particularly interested in it at the time. As I grew up, whether it was playing cricket, going to the gym, or getting into powerlifting, he was always very supportive.

“MMA took him a little bit of time to come around to, but I can’t deny how supportive he’s been throughout my journey. When it comes to MMA, he’s always discussing it with me and trying to understand the sport a little more. He’s supportive in whatever way he can be,” said Varun.

Asian Games, feels Varun, will be a gamechanger for the sport in India. “The pathway has been a little bumpy. I won the MMA SFI Nationals in 2025, which qualified me for the Asian AMMA Championships in January 2026 in China, where I won a bronze medal. That meant I was officially ranked within the Asian system.

“At the time, though, it wasn’t particularly clear who had qualified for the Asian Games or what the qualification process was going to look like. There wasn’t much clarity from the Asian side about how the qualification process would work. So rather than sitting around waiting, I decided to focus on my professional career.

“Eventually, I received final confirmation that I would be going to the Asian Games just two weeks before the Games themselves. So, obviously, preparing mentally and physically for something of this magnitude in such a short period has been quite a challenge. But I suppose that’s part of sport. That’s what sport is,” said Varun.

Can MMA be a sustainable sports career in India?

“The government is now aware of MMA and has shown more interest in the sport over the last year than it ever has before. That is certainly a positive step. We are still having to find support from different places just to continue our careers. I’m fortunate to have Raphe mPhibr sponsoring me and supporting me on my journey, and I’ve had other people support me over the years as well. But I understand that MMA is still a relatively new sport, and I trust that things will improve with time.”

Varun credited Nikhil Kunder, the president of the national federation for keeping MMA afloat in India. “I know how difficult it must be. The nationals, the events that have been conducted, and a lot of the training and expenses involved in supporting the fighters have been funded by the people running the federation themselves. A lot of that money has effectively gone straight out of Nikhil’s or the other people’s own pockets. So, while I’m happy that the government is now looking at MMA more closely, I would like to see that interest translate into more direct support for the athletes.”

“We now have two Indian athletes who have qualified and are ranked in the top six in Asia. I don’t see why there can’t be more. I don’t see why, eventually, we can’t fill all the weight categories in MMA in the same way that we do in sports like wrestling and boxing,” said Varun.(eom)

The Minister made these remarks while interacting with a delegation of the JK Divyang Welfare Association (JKDWA), which called on him at the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar.

During the meeting, Satish Sharma formally launched the jersey of Hyderabad Hawks, a franchise participating in the upcoming Radiant World Para Cricket League, scheduled to be held from October 6 to 11, 2026, in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

The delegation was comprised of Sayed Shah Aziz, Captain of the Indian Differently-Abled Cricket Team and Hyderabad Hawks; General Secretary JK Divyang Welfare Association Pirzada Sayed Nissar Hussain Shah and association member Manmohan Singh.

Congratulating Sayed Shah Aziz on his remarkable achievements, the Minister described him as a role model for the aspiring athletes and a source of pride for Jammu & Kashmir. He said that Aziz’s journey from Poonch to leading the Indian Differently-Abled Cricket Team reflects the extraordinary determination, talent and resilience of the youth of Jammu & Kashmir.

Extending his best wishes to Hyderabad Hawks for the forthcoming tournament, Satish Sharma expressed confidence that the team would perform exceptionally well and continue to inspire countless sportspersons across the country.

The Minister also held detailed discussions with the delegation regarding the development of disability sports in Jammu & Kashmir.

Various issues related to the promotion of para cricket and para sports, including infrastructure, training facilities, sporting opportunities, recognition and institutional support for differently-abled athletes, were deliberated upon.

Satish Sharma emphasized that the government is committed to create an inclusive sports ecosystem where athletes with disabilities receive the support and facilities necessary to realise their full potential. He said that sports serve as a powerful medium of empowerment, confidence-building and social inclusion. He reiterated that the aspirations of differently-abled athletes would be given due attention.

The Minister said that the achievements of para athletes from Jammu & Kashmir have demonstrated that physical limitations can never become barriers to excellence when determination and dedication are coupled with opportunity and support. He stressed the need to further strengthen the initiatives aimed at encouraging greater participation of differently-abled youth in sports activities across Jammu and Kashmir.

The JK Divyang Welfare Association appreciated the Minister’s keen interest in the development of para sports and thanked him for his encouragement and support.