Rajgir : Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse on Tuesday highlighted the role of international sporting exchanges in strengthening bilateral relations, promoting cultural understanding and providing young athletes with international exposure as the India–New Zealand U20 Rugby Series concluded at the Rajgir Sports Complex in Bihar.

Held under the “100 Years of Unity through Sport” initiative, the series marked a century of sporting ties between India and New Zealand, bringing together the countries’ under-20 men’s and women’s rugby teams.

The programme featured joint training sessions, cultural interactions and four Rugby Sevens matches, including two mixed-team matches in which Indian and New Zealand players competed alongside one another.

Khadse said sport was an important instrument of international engagement and could foster mutual understanding, friendship and long-term cooperation between nations.

She said the series reflected India’s efforts to strengthen global sporting partnerships and create opportunities for young people to connect through competition and cultural exchange.

The visiting New Zealand delegation comprised the U20 men’s team, Tama Toa, and the U20 women’s team, Hine Toa, featuring 24 young Māori players. Their participation provided an opportunity for athletes from both countries to share sporting experiences and cultural traditions.

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, State Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Shreyasi Singh, New Zealand Acting High Commissioner to India Matt Ayers, Rugby Football Association of Bihar president Sanjay Mayukh and Rugby India president Rahul Bose attended the concluding event.

Shreyasi Singh said hosting the series in Rajgir was an opportunity for Bihar to strengthen its sporting ecosystem and expand opportunities for young athletes through international collaboration.

Rahul Bose said the mixed-team matches demonstrated rugby’s values of teamwork, respect and friendship, adding that the relationships developed during the series could support future cooperation between Rugby India and New Zealand Rugby.

The series builds on bilateral cooperation in rugby development. In May 2026, Rugby India hosted New Zealand Rugby coaching educators at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar for a coaching development programme involving 35 Indian coaches.

The initiative focused on strengthening coaching capabilities and supporting the growth of rugby in India.

The Rajgir series combined competitive sport, joint training and cultural engagement, highlighting the role of international exchanges in developing young athletes and strengthening sporting partnerships between the two countries.

Pulwama : District Development Commissioner (DDC) Pulwama, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, Tuesday  chaired a review meeting to assess the progress of Youth Services & Sports activities, sports infrastructure and ongoing initiatives across the district.

At the outset, a detailed presentation was presented before the chair covering sports infrastructure, participation, activities and ongoing works.

The DDC directed that existing basketball, volleyball, hockey and other sports courts be put to regular use and properly maintained. The list of playfields was asked to be shared with the concerned ZEOs and Panchayat-level authorities so that maintenance responsibility is clearly established.

The DDC emphasised that a comprehensive sports calendar be prepared to ensure regular sporting activities at the Panchayat level. He called for a structured competition pathway from Panchayat to Block, sub-district and finally district level, allowing talent to be identified from the grassroots.

While emphasising inclusivity and equal opportunities in sports, the DDC stressed the need to ensure suitable facilities and adequate opportunities for children with special abilities and sportspersons to participate across various sporting disciplines.

Furthermore, the DDC directed the concerned officers to identify promising athletes in skiing, skating and other winter sports and facilitate their training and participation in winter games. Where suitable facilities are unavailable locally, training support at centres such as Srinagar, along with necessary logistical assistance, may be provided, he added.

The DDC further directed that procurement of sports equipment should be based on proper assessment of requirements and undertaken in accordance with GFR provisions.

The chair was apprised that between April 01 and September 30, 2026, a total of 2,61,735 participants took part in various sports and youth activities, comprising 1,56,887 boys and 1,04,848 girls, including 70,444 participants in different levels of competitions and 1,91,291 participants in other activities.

The DDC called for sustained efforts to strengthen sports infrastructure, ensure its regular utilisation and create a structured platform for identifying and nurturing sporting talent from the Panchayat level onwards.

The meeting was attended by ADDC Pulwama, Gulzar Ahmad Bhat; CPO Pulwama, AashiqKhanday; DYSSO Pulwama, besides other concerned officers and officials.

The  Wasoora Club won the final match against Pulwama Club, with Basharat Ahmad of Wasoora Volleyball Club adjudged Player of the Tournament. Senior Superintendent of Police Pulwama, Sahil Sarangal, and Deputy Superintendent of Police District Armed Reserve, Mohammad Shafi, attended the concluding ceremony alongside members of the Traders Federation Pulwama and prominent citizens to present trophies to the winning and runner-up teams.

The tournament was inaugurated by the Deputy Superintendent of Police Headquarters Shopian alongside the Station House Officer Police Station Shopian, featuring participating teams from Government Girls Higher Secondary School Shopian who displayed great enthusiasm, teamwork, and sporting spirit before winning and runner-up teams were felicitated.

The initiative, supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India, aims to strengthen the connections between coach education, talent identification, and elite training. Khadse highlighted that India’s aspiration to become a leading sporting nation hinges on early talent identification and ensuring women and girls have access to qualified coaching and infrastructure. She noted that sporting talent is present across various communities and stressed the need for broader participation to enhance India’s competitive prospects. The discussions also focused on the ASMITA women’s leagues under the Khelo India framework, which have successfully engaged over three lakh women since their launch in 2021, promoting organized sports participation. The course aimed to increase the number of qualified women coaches and improve access to coaching education. Participants discussed the significance of practical training, mentorship, and ongoing professional development in preparing coaches for competitive demands. Insights shared by regional representatives underscored the necessity of tailored coaching and fitness programs that cater to athletes at different developmental stages. The course also highlighted the expanding professional opportunities in sports, advocating for equipping more women with the necessary skills to enter and excel in various roles within the sports sector. The discussions reinforced the importance of creating safe sporting environments and ensuring athlete welfare, with a collective responsibility among coaches and governing bodies to maintain high standards of safety and conduct. The All-Women Coaches Course under the AITA ACE 2032 initiative represents a broader commitment to enhancing women’s participation and leadership in Indian sports, aiming to contribute to the nation’s sporting goals for 2036 and the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

New Delhi :  Navdeep Singh, an Indian para-athlete, has said that training at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN) main track alongside fellow competitors significantly enhanced his preparation for the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya.

The event marked India’s best performance in the history of the Asian Para Games, with the country securing a total of 114 medals, including 30 golds, 35 silvers, and 49 bronzes, and para-athletics alone contributing 65 medals. Navdeep achieved a bronze medal in the men’s javelin throw F40/F41 category, improving upon his fourth-place finish from the previous edition in 2022. He noted that the training environment at JLN Stadium was conducive for athletes, allowing them to acclimatize effectively. Despite the concurrent Indian Super League football matches, the focus on the Asian Games was commendable, facilitating uninterrupted training for athletes. Navdeep emphasized the importance of having dedicated access to the main track, which allowed sprinters and throwers to train without delays, thereby enhancing their focus and performance. The para-athletes training at JLN Stadium delivered impressive results at the Asian Para Games, with notable gold medalists including Praveen Kumar in men’s high jump T64, Sandeep Kumar in men’s 400m T64, who set a world record, and Simran Sharma, who excelled in both the women’s 100m and 200m T12 events. Silver and bronze medals were also won by various athletes across multiple disciplines, showcasing the depth of talent among the more than 50 para-athletes training at the facility. Navdeep expressed hope to return to JLN Stadium for future training seasons, highlighting its pivotal role in their success.

Srinagar|Oct, 24:Gojwari Cricket Club defeated Krashbal Cricket Club in the final to win the T20 cricket tournament organised by Srinagar Police under the Civic Action Programme (CAP) 2025–26.

The tournament, which began on October 17, concluded at the MPML Higher Secondary School playground in Shamswari, with eight teams representing different areas of Srinagar participating in the competition.

SSP Srinagar Dr. G. V. Sundeep Chakravarthy presided over the closing ceremony and distributed trophies, medals, mementos and cash prizes among the winners, runners-up and outstanding performers. The Man of the Series was also felicitated with a trophy and cash prize.

Addressing the participants, the SSP congratulated the winning team and appreciated the players for their discipline, teamwork and sporting spirit. He said sports played an important role in promoting discipline, leadership and responsibility among young people.

He urged youth to channel their energy into sports, education and other constructive activities and stay away from drugs and other social evils.

The tournament was organised to encourage youth participation in sports and strengthen police-public relations through community engagement.

Srinagar Police reiterated its commitment to promoting sports, youth empowerment and a drug-free society through initiatives under the Civic Action Programme.

Bandipora : Five young athletes from Bandipora have been selected to represent the district at the National Inter-District Junior Athletics Meet (NIDJAM), scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from November 14 to 16.

The athletes were selected on the basis of their performances at the 4th District Bandipora Athletics Championship-2026, organised by the District Bandipora Athletics Association (DBAA) at Naidkhai Play Field from October 19 to 20.

More than 100 athletes from across the district participated in the two-day championship, competing in various track and field events across different age groups. Medals and certificates were awarded to the rank holders at the concluding ceremony.

The selected athletes are Musaib Ahmad Dar (Under-16), Arfat Ahmad Dar, Inayat Farooq, Sheikh Amanulhaq and Hashim Fayaz, all in the Under-14 category.

DBAA General Secretary Aijaz Bashir congratulated the selected athletes and wished them success at the national-level competition. He said the championship aimed to identify and nurture young sporting talent and provide athletes with opportunities to compete at higher levels.

Bashir thanked the participating athletes, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and sports enthusiasts for contributing to the event’s success. He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to promoting athletics in Bandipora and organising more competitions to encourage young talent.

The championship was conducted with the support of officials, including Mohsin Majeed Ganaie, athlete Sahil and Faisal Nazir.

The victory is a matter of immense pride and honour for the entire District Kulgam, as the young cricketers emerged champions at the UT level through their dedication, teamwork and outstanding sporting performance.

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner lauded the young players for their remarkable success and appreciated the dedicated efforts of the Department of Youth Services and Sports in nurturing sporting talent and promoting a strong sports culture among the youth.

District Youth Services and Sports Officer (DYSSO) Kulgam, team coach and officials from the DYSSO Office were also present on the occasion.

The felicitation served as a source of motivation for the young champions and an encouragement for aspiring sportspersons across the district to pursue excellence in sports and bring further laurels to District Kulgam.

Naidkhai : Chinar FC, Andergam, emerged victorious in the inaugural edition of the SKB Champions Cup, defeating Royal FC, Naidkhai, by 2–0 goals in a thrilling grand finale held at SKB Stadium, Naidkhai, on Friday.

The tournament was organised by Thunder FC and Kashmir Hunks, witnessing enthusiastic participation of football enthusiasts and a large gathering of spectators.

The grand finale was graced by the Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, as the Chief Guest. Minister for Agriculture, Javid Ahmad Dar; Advisor to Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani; MLA Bandipora Nizamuddin Bhat; MLA Sonawari Hilal Akbar Lone; and MLA Sopore Shri Irshad Rasool Kar attended the event as Guests of Honour.

The final match between Chinar FC, Andergam and Royal FC, Naidkhai, was marked by thrilling moments, competitive play and tremendous sporting spirit. The stadium was filled with enthusiasm as spectators cheered for their respective teams while the crowd maintained commendable discipline throughout the event.

The Deputy Chief Minister congratulated Chinar FC, Andergam, on winning the inaugural championship and appreciated both the teams for their performance and sportsmanship. He urged the players and youth to continue working hard and strive for excellence in sports as well as in other fields of life.

Addressing the gathering, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, extended his best wishes to the organisers and participating teams. He lauded the organisers for the smooth management and successful conduct of the tournament.

Emphasising the importance of youth empowerment, Nasir Aslam Wani said that prioritising young people and providing them with adequate opportunities in sports must remain a key focus.

During the prize distribution ceremony, the winning team, Chinar FC, Andergam, was presented with the championship trophy and a Cheque of ₹70,000 by the Deputy Chief Minister.

Advisor to Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, presented a cheque of ₹30,000 to the runner-up team, Royal FC, Naidkhai.

The organisers expressed gratitude to the players, public representatives, officers, spectators and all stakeholders for their cooperation and support in making the inaugural edition of the SKB Champions Cup a successful sporting event.

The event was also attended by the senior officers and officials of various departments of the district administration besides sports enthusiasts and the general public.