Munish Sood
Mandi
40 teams from eight clusters participate; Minister stresses discipline, leadership, confidence and holistic development through sports
State-level Kho-Kho competition for boys and girls got underway at DAV Public School, Dadour, on Friday with Cabinet Minister Rajesh Dharmani inaugurating the tournament and encouraging young players to pursue sports with discipline, confidence and a strong spirit of competition.
The tournament has brought together 40 teams from eight clusters across Himachal Pradesh, with around 453 boys and girls participating. The players are competing across different age categories, providing young sporting talent an opportunity to showcase their skills at the state level.
Dharmani, Minister for Town and Country Planning, Housing, Technical Education, Vocational and Industrial Training, formally inaugurated the competition by hoisting the flag and lighting the ceremonial lamp.
Addressing the gathering, the minister said sports play an important role in the overall development of students, helping them develop discipline, leadership qualities, team spirit and self-confidence. He urged the players to participate in the competition in the true spirit of sportsmanship and focus on giving their best rather than being overly concerned about victory or defeat.
Dharmani said the state government was continuously working to provide better facilities and opportunities for young people to advance in sports. He said state-level competitions organised in rural areas provide an important platform for local sporting talent to demonstrate their abilities and gain valuable exposure.
He stressed the need to encourage every child to participate in sports so that their energy could be channelled in a positive direction. He also highlighted the importance of providing students with opportunities beyond academics, including cultural activities, NSS, NCC, debates and science fairs, saying such activities help children learn valuable skills and contribute to their all-round development.
The minister also appreciated the contribution of the DAV institution in the field of education and encouraged students to participate actively in co-curricular and sports activities.
Sanjeev Guleria, Chairman of the Agriculture Produce Market Committee, attended the event as the special guest and extended his best wishes to all participating teams and players.
Earlier, DAV Public School Dadour Principal Prashant Sharma welcomed the chief guest and other dignitaries and briefed them about various activities being undertaken by the school.
The inaugural ceremony also witnessed the participation of Sonika Dharmani, wife of the minister; Shashi Sharma, Vice-Chairman, Himachal Pradesh Water Management Board; SDM Balh Smritika Negi; LMC member Lokesh Kapoor; PTA President Vinay Dhiman; parent representative and LMC member Jitender Sharma, besides members of the school management, teachers, sports coaches, students and other dignitaries.
The tournament has brought a vibrant sporting atmosphere to the DAV Public School campus, with teams from across the state competing for honours while promoting the values of discipline, teamwork, leadership and sportsmanship.
