Srinagar, Jul 7: The Employees' Football Tournament, organized by the Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, University of Kashmir, concluded on Tuesday at the University's Ground "B", marking the successful culmination of a productive activity. The tournament witnessed an overwhelming response from employees representing various teaching departments, administrative units, centres, and satellite campuses of the University. A total of 10 teams competed in the tournament, which was conducted on a league-cum-knockout basis, ensuring a highly competitive and engaging sporting spectacle throughout its duration. The matches attracted a large number of employees and spectators who gathered each day to cheer for their respective teams. The tournament was part of the Directorate of Physical Education and Sports' best practices to encourage employees to actively participate in sports and physical activities. The initiative seeks to foster physical fitness, mental well-being, teamwork, stress management, and a healthy work-life balance among University employees. The grand finale witnessed an impressive contest between Team Green and Team White. Displaying exceptional coordination, attacking football, and remarkable teamwork, Team Green emerged victorious with a commanding 6-2 win over Team White to lift the championship trophy. The star performer of the tournament was Chief Security Officer, Gh. Rasool Malik, who exhibited an outstanding performance in the final by scoring five goals for Team Green. His exceptional consistency and goal-scoring ability throughout the tournament earned him the distinction of Best Player of the Tournament, having scored an impressive 15 goals during the championship. The concluding ceremony was presided over by the Registrar, University of Kashmir, Prof. Naseer Iqbal. Addressing the gathering, Prof. Naseer Iqbal congratulated both Team Green and Team White for exhibiting  competitive spirit during the final. He said that the tournament reflected the University's commitment to promoting a vibrant sporting culture among its employees and emphasized that regular participation in sports is essential for maintaining both physical fitness and mental well-being. He further commended the Directorate of Physical Education and Sports for consistently organizing employee-centric sporting events that encourage staff members to adopt healthy lifestyles, while strengthening interpersonal relationships and teamwork within the University community. He observed that such initiatives not only contribute to improved health but also help employees effectively cope with professional responsibilities and workplace stress. Earlier, Coordinator, Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, Dr. Surjeet Singh, presented a detailed report on the tournament, highlighting the enthusiastic participation, competitive matches, and smooth conduct of the event. Prof. Naseer Iqbal, distributed trophies, and medals among winning and runner-up teams. The tournament was coordinated by Dr. Basharat Ali, Assistant Director, while proceedings of the concluding ceremony were conducted by Football Coach, Sajid Yousuf Dar.

Srinagar, Jul 7: National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar stormed into the final of the All-India Inter-NIT Faculty & Staff Cricket Tournament 2026 with a convincing four-wicket victory over NIT Jalandhar in the first semifinal, while NIT Puducherry secured the second berth in the title clash after defeating NIT Hamirpur by six wickets in the second semifinal played at the Physical College, Ganderbal. The championship final will now be played between NIT Srinagar and NIT Puducherry on Wednesday, while NIT Hamirpur and NIT Jalandhar will face each other in the third-place playoff. In the first semifinal, NIT Jalandhar won the toss and elected to bat. Opener Nitin Sharma was dismissed off the very first ball of the innings. Ravinder, Avishek Singh and Amritpal Singh also fell cheaply, leaving NIT Jalandhar struggling at 14/4 inside the opening four overs. However, Saurabh Dinkar and Sourav Gupta staged an impressive recovery with a crucial partnership. Dinkar played a superb knock of 71 runs off 50 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes, while Gupta contributed a well-compiled 56 off 44 deliveries with five boundaries. Their efforts helped NIT Jalandhar recover to a respectable total of 148/5 in 20 overs. NIT Srinagar's bowling attack remained disciplined throughout the innings. Dr. Mohsin starred with outstanding figures of 2 wickets for 15 runs in four overs. Mudasir Qadir and Dr. Majid Hussain claimed one wicket each, while Dr. Shakeel Waseem and Shahid Hamid bowled economical spells to keep the opposition under pressure. In reply, NIT Srinagar produced a composed batting display to chase down the target, with Dr. Majid Hussain top-scoring with a well-crafted 32 off 24 balls, laced with five boundaries. Wicketkeeper-batter Sohail Baba remained unbeaten on 25 off just 13 deliveries, smashing four fours and a six, while Shahid Hamid made an important 26 off 18 balls, including three boundaries, to keep the chase firmly on track. Earlier, Aaqib Sheikh provided NIT Srinagar with a blistering start, scoring 19 off 10 balls with the help of a four and a six. Dr. Pankaj Kumar remained unbeaten on 17, while captain Faisal Irshad contributed 12 runs. Dr. Ved Prakash (3) and Dr. Shakeel Waseem (2) also chipped in as NIT Srinagar reached 149/6 in 18.3 overs, sealing a convincing four-wicket victory with nine balls to spare and booking their place in the tournament final. For NIT Jalandhar, Kundan Kumar impressed with figures of 3/20, while Rakesh Kumar and Satyender Singh picked up one wicket each. In the second semifinal at the Physical College, Ganderbal, NIT Hamirpur posted 152/8 after being asked to bat. Neeraj Dhiman played a sensational innings of 80 runs off 46 balls, hammering seven fours and seven sixes, while Vivek Tiwari added a useful 31 to help Hamirpur cross the 150-run mark. NIT Puducherry's bowlers produced a disciplined effort, with Ismail M leading the attack by claiming 4 wickets for 20 runs, while Gowrishankar supported well with 2/16. Chasing 153, NIT Puducherry dominated the run chase from the outset. Alaguraja K anchored the innings with a magnificent 67 off 43 balls, striking eight fours and four sixes, as his team comfortably reached 156/4 in 16.4 overs, sealing victory by six wickets with 20 balls remaining. For NIT Hamirpur, Hemraj claimed 2 wickets for 26 runs, but his efforts were not enough to stop Puducherry's march into the final. Alaguraja K was named the Man of the Match for his match-winning knock of 67 off 43 balls, which guided NIT Puducherry to a comfortable six-wicket victory over NIT Hamirpur and secured their place in the tournament final. Before the final, NIT Hamirpur and NIT Jalandhar will compete in the third-place playoff, with both matches scheduled to be held at NIT Srinagar. Earlier in the day, NIT Puducherry booked their place in the semi-finals with a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over VNIT in the quarter-final. VNIT were restricted to 105/9 in 20 overs, with Ismail M claiming 3/15, while Sudhakar V (2/19) and C.K. Prakash (2/26) provided excellent support. In reply, openers Alaguraja K (71* off 38) and C.K. Prakash (26* off 23) stitched together an unbeaten 107-run stand as Puducherry chased down the target in just 10.1 overs.

Srinagar, Jul 6: On Day 3 of the All India Inter-NIT Faculty & Staff Cricket Tournament 2026, being hosted by NIT Srinagar, the tournament entered the knockout stage with hosts NIT Srinagar, NIT Jalandhar and NIT Hamirpur registering impressive quarter-final victories to book their places in the semi-finals. Earlier in the day, the final round of league-stage matches produced several thrilling contests as teams battled for crucial points. Hosts NIT Srinagar continued their unbeaten run with a dominant seven-wicket victory over NIT Kurukshetra in the quarter-final at the NIT Srinagar Ground. Batting first, NIT Kurukshetra posted 123 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Despite a disciplined effort from their batting unit, they struggled to accelerate against a well-organised NIT Srinagar bowling attack. Prof. Vikas Kumar was the top scorer with 22 runs, while the hosts maintained tight lines and picked up wickets at regular intervals to keep the visitors under pressure throughout the innings. NIT Srinagar's bowlers shared the responsibility impressively, with Dr. Shakeel Waseem leading the attack by claiming 2 wickets for 25 runs in his four overs. He received excellent support from Dr. Mohsin (1/18), Dr. Majid Hussain (1/17), Mudasir Qadir (1/25) and Shahid Hamid (1/19), as each contributed a wicket to restrict Kurukshetra to a modest total. In reply, NIT Srinagar produced another commanding batting display, chasing down the target with ease. The hosts reached 127/3 in just 14 overs, completing the chase with six overs to spare. Dr. Ved Prakash anchored the innings with an unbeaten 50, while Aaqib Sheikh played an aggressive knock of 38 runs. Dr. Pankaj Kumar chipped in with a brisk 16 off 9 balls, and Shahid Hamid remained unbeaten on 11 off just 4 deliveries, as NIT Srinagar comfortably chased down the target to seal an emphatic eight-wicket victory and book their place in the semi-finals. Dr. Ved Prakash was declared the Player of the Match for his half-century. The award was presented by Registrar NIT Srinagar Prof. Atikur Rehman, who felicitated him with a memento. At Ganderbal Physical College, NIT Jalandhar edged past NIT Rourkela by eight runs in one of the most exciting quarter-finals of the tournament. Jalandhar posted 157/6 after valuable contributions from Ravinder (38) and Nitin Sharma (32). In reply, Subrat S fought brilliantly with 82 off 67 balls, but Rourkela finished on 149/6 despite his heroic effort. Manjeet Singh claimed 2/22 for Jalandhar, while Subrat S was named Player of the Match for his outstanding knock. Meanwhile, NIT Hamirpur defeated NIT Calicut by 32 runs to advance to the semi-finals. Hamirpur were bowled out for 107 despite Manish scoring 34 and Aman Kumar adding 22. Dhanesh Rambeth starred for Calicut with an excellent five-wicket haul. However, Hamirpur's bowlers responded brilliantly as they dismissed Calicut for 75 in 17.1 overs. Manish completed a memorable all-round performance by taking 5/21, while Surender Soni supported him with 3/10 to seal a comprehensive victory. Earlier, the league stage concluded with several entertaining contests across different venues. MNIT Jaipur produced the highest total of the day, crushing NIT Delhi Faculty & Staff by 99 runs. After piling up 228/8, powered by Sundeep Kumar's 58 and Roop Narayan Sharma's explosive 44 off 18 balls, Jaipur bundled out Delhi for 129 despite Manoj Kumawat's fighting 69. Vijay Singh claimed 3/24 to lead the bowling attack. MANIT Bhopal defeated NIT Raipur by 24 runs after posting 140/8 in 18 overs. Hasthi Venkateswarlu impressed with both bat and ball, scoring 35 before returning figures of 3/20. Deepak Singh's 37 was not enough to prevent Raipur from finishing on 116/8. NIT Kurukshetra also registered a 17-run league victory over NIT Andhra Pradesh. Kamlesh Choudhary anchored the innings with a fluent 61 before making a useful contribution with the ball, while Rahul Sharma stole the show with a hat-trick, finishing with impressive figures of 3/13, as Andhra Pradesh were restricted to 126/8. NIT Agartala registered a five-wicket victory over NIT Manipur. Manipur posted 127/8, with Nabajit Sarkar scoring 37, while Amitesh Bardhan starred with the ball, taking 4/17. Agartala chased the target in 19.1 overs thanks to Dhirendra Kumar Pandey's composed 42. NIT Rourkela bounced back from their quarter-final disappointment with a convincing five-wicket league win over MNNIT Allahabad. Tanmaya Kumar Sahoo ripped through the batting order with sensational figures of 6/17 as Allahabad were restricted to just 73/9. Rourkela comfortably chased the target in 12.2 overs. VNIT Nagpur defeated NIT Nagaland by 11 runs in a closely fought encounter. Sourav Pradhan scored 33 as VNIT posted 159/9, while Dr. Ajit Rathod's disciplined spell of 2/28 proved decisive as Nagaland finished on 148/4 despite useful contributions from Bikash Sarma and Manoj Kumar Patel. SVNIT Surat secured a comfortable 23-run victory over NIT Sikkim after Vishal's all-round brilliance. Vishal scored 49 before claiming 2/22, while Dr. Jogender Singh bowled economically to restrict Sikkim to 136/6 in reply to Surat's 159/7. In another one-sided contest, NITK Surathkal hammered NIT Goa by ten wickets. After bowling Goa out for 106/8 through outstanding spells from Shailendra (4/18) and Santhosh (3/17), Surathkal chased the target in only 8.3 overs without losing a wicket, with Selva smashing an unbeaten 50 and Santhosh remaining not out on 30.

Srinagar, Jul 5: National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar Sunday extended their dominant run in the ongoing Inter-NIT Faculty & Staff Cricket Tournament (M) 2026 with a commanding 220-run victory over NIT Agartala on Sunday. While NIT Jalandhar, NIT Hamirpur, NIT Puducherry, NIT Silchar, NIT Kurukshetra, NIT Rourkela, and NIT Calicut also registered impressive league wins. The hosts produced another clinical all-round display, with Aaqib Sheikh continuing his sensational form by smashing his second century of the tournament. Aaqib scored 154 off just 57 balls, striking 18 fours and nine sixes, as NIT Srinagar piled up 279/3 in 20 overs. Captain Faisal Irshad scored 75 off 46 balls; while Wicketkeeper Sohail Baba added a quickfire unbeaten 30 off 12 deliveries. In reply, NIT Agartala never recovered from early setbacks and were bowled out for just 59 in 17.3 overs. Dr. Mohsin led the bowling attack with superb figures of 3 wickets for just 8 runs, while Dr. Shakeel Waseem and Shahid Hamid claimed two wickets each.  Dr. Majid Hussain and Mudasir Qadir chipped in with one wicket apiece to complete one of the biggest victories of the tournament. In another match, NIT Jalandhar also produced one of the most destructive performances of the competition, crushing NIT Goa by 195 runs. Ravinder's brilliant 85 off 44 balls and Saurabh Dinkar's explosive 68 off 33 deliveries powered Jalandhar to 269/7, before Satyender Singh (3/7) and Sourav Gupta (3/10) skittled Goa for 74. Another one-sided contest saw NIT Hamirpur overpower SVNIT Surat by 171 runs. Hamirpur amassed 225/6, with Vivek Tiwari (48), Aman Kumar (45) and Surender Soni (40) leading the batting charge. Surat were then bowled out for 54, courtesy of disciplined spells from Anil Kumar (2/11) and Manish (2/17). NIT Puducherry continued their impressive campaign with a comfortable seven-wicket victory over NIT Raipur. After restricting Raipur to 107/9, thanks largely to Sudhakar V's outstanding 4/19, Puducherry chased down the target in just 12.4 overs, with Gopinath A (41 off 17) and Muthu Frnd (31) leading the charge. NIT Silchar defeated NIT Nagaland by 28 runs after posting 120/9, with Wasim Arif (26) and Anup Sharma (23) making valuable contributions. Nagaland were restricted to 92/7 despite Bikash Sarma's fighting 40, while Wasim Arif completed a fine all-round performance with 2/11. In one of the day's closest matches, NIT Kurukshetra edged NIT Uttarakhand by 15 runs. Kurukshetra scored 139/8, with Dr. Vikas Kumar and Rawat MS contributing 28 runs each, before Rahul Sharma's 3/27 ensured Uttarakhand finished on 124/9 despite Kuldeep Thakur's determined all-round effort. NIT Rourkela registered a 26-run victory over NIT Jamshedpur after posting 164. Subrat S (29) anchored the innings, while Nishant Kumar (3/22) and Debananda Amat (2/20) restricted Jamshedpur to 138, despite Ravi Ranjan Kumar's notable all-round display of 46 runs and 3/16. Meanwhile, NIT Calicut maintained their winning momentum with a convincing 39-run victory over MNIT Jaipur at Kashmir University Ground-2. Abhijith's 58 and Sreejith's 36 guided Calicut to 155/8, before Vinayak M (3/38) spearheaded the bowling attack to dismiss Jaipur for 116. With another day of high-scoring encounters, dominant bowling performances and commanding victories, the race for the knockout stage has intensified, with NIT Srinagar emerging as one of the strongest contenders after another emphatic all-round display. The five-day championship, hosted by NIT Srinagar, has brought together 24 NIT teams in a celebration of sportsmanship, teamwork, and national integration. The tournament is being sponsored by DRS IT Consultancy, NorthCut Enterprises, Aisha Enterprises, Bombay Sports, Chemi Health, Speedway Printers, G Active, K.S. Enterprises, M/S Sharp, Ahmad Scientific, Alfa Office, Nescafé, New S5 Enterprise, IGENE, FOSROC, Lakshmi Chand, JK Bats, J&K Bank, Canara Bank, ICICI Bank, HIECO, JK Cement, Gasha Canteen, Ali Mohammad P&D, and Orbit Contractors P&D.

Srinagar, Jul 4: The All India Inter-NIT Faculty & Staff Cricket Tournament (Men) 2026 began on a positive and competitive note in Srinagar on Saturday, with the host institution NIT Srinagar setting a strong early benchmark in the five-day championship featuring 24 National Institutes of Technology from across the country. The opening day featured several well-contested matches across multiple venues in the city, marked by dominant wins, individual performances, and one closely fought tie. The results reflected the balanced competitive spirit of the tournament while also highlighting the growing standard of faculty and staff cricket within the NIT system. Across the day’s fixtures, teams displayed encouraging performances with both bat and ball, setting the stage for an engaging league phase ahead. The mix of one-sided victories and tightly contested encounters underlined the camaraderie and sporting spirit that the tournament aims to promote among participating institutes. The hosts NIT Srinagar made an emphatic statement in their opening clash against NIT Manipur, registering a commanding 10-wicket victory. After opting to field, NIT Srinagar’s bowling unit produced a disciplined performance to restrict Manipur to 121/8 in 20 overs. Dr. Shakeel Waseem starred with an exceptional spell of 4/21, breaking the backbone of the opposition middle order, while Dr. Majid Hussain supported with 2/27. Chasing a modest target, NIT Srinagar delivered a batting masterclass as Aaqib Sheikh smashed a breathtaking unbeaten 103 off just 33 balls, decorated with 17 boundaries and five sixes, powering the hosts to 124/0 in just 6.4 overs. Captain Faisal Irshad remained unbeaten on 10 as the hosts sealed victory with 80 balls to spare. At another venue, NIT Jalandhar continued their strong start to the tournament, defeating NITK Surathkal by 23 runs. Batting first, Jalandhar posted 186/9 in 20 overs, powered by Amritpal Singh’s explosive 72 off 44 balls, supported by Ravinder’s quick 40 off 27 deliveries. Surathkal responded with 163/7, with Shailendra scoring a fighting 47, but failed to maintain the required run rate despite a spirited effort. In another high-impact contest, NIT Uttarakhand outclassed NIT Andhra Pradesh by 49 runs. Uttarakhand posted 143/8, largely due to Kuldeep Thakur’s explosive 90 off 53 balls. In response, Andhra Pradesh collapsed for 94 in 15.1 overs, with Hitesh Sharma delivering a match-winning spell of 6/15. Romeo Meitei’s five-wicket haul for Andhra Pradesh was the lone bright spot in an otherwise one-sided encounter. NIT Jamshedpur also began their campaign with a hard-fought five-wicket win over MNNIT Allahabad. Allahabad posted 152 all out, with Venkatesh scoring 51. Jamshedpur’s Sudhanshu Pati claimed 3/27, restricting the opposition effectively. In reply, Sumit Sehgal anchored the chase with a composed 44, guiding his team to 155/5 in 19.4 overs. One of the most thrilling encounters of the day came between NIT Puducherry and MANIT Bhopal, which ended in a rare tie as both teams scored 164 in their allotted 20 overs. Alaguraja K’s 79 and C.K. Prakash’s 46 powered Puducherry, while Akash Mourya’s brilliant 82 ensured Bhopal stayed in the chase till the final ball, resulting in shared points. In another one-sided contest played at Islamia College, NIT Calicut delivered a clinical performance to defeat NIT Delhi by nine wickets. Delhi were restricted to 115/10, with Dhanesh Rambeth taking 3/20. Calicut chased the target in 11.2 overs, led by Ranjith’s unbeaten 51 off 32 balls, sealing victory with ease. NIT Hamirpur produced the most dominant bowling performance of the day against NIT Sikkim, restricting them to just 64/8 in 20 overs. Neeraj Dhiman’s extraordinary 2/2 in three overs set the tone, while Hemraj supported brilliantly. Hamirpur chased the target in just six overs, finishing at 66/1 with Vivek Tiwari and Surender Soni leading the charge. In a closely fought contest, VNIT Nagpur edged past NIT Silchar by three wickets. Silchar were bowled out for 79, with Dr. Ajit Rathod (3/18) and Vijendra Singh Thakur (2/5) starring with the ball. VNIT Nagpur, however, faced resistance during the chase but managed to reach 80/7 in 16.1 overs, securing a narrow win. Wasim Arif stood out for Silchar with an all-round performance, scoring 28 and taking 3/14. The five-day championship, hosted by NIT Srinagar, has brought together 24 NIT teams in a celebration of sportsmanship, teamwork, and national integration. The tournament is being sponsored by DRS IT Consultancy, NorthCut Enterprises, Aisha Enterprises, Bombay Sports, Chemi Health, Speedway Printers, G Active, K.S. Enterprises, M/S Sharp, Ahmad Scientific, Alfa Office, Nescafé, New S5 Enterprise, IGENE, FOSROC, Lakshmi Chand, JK Bats, J&K Bank, Canara Bank, ICICI Bank, HIECO, JK Cement, Gasha Canteen, Ali Mohammad P&D, and Orbit Contractors P&D.

Baramulla, June 29: In a major push to promote youth engagement, peace and community harmony through sports, the Dagger Division of the Indian Army on Monday inaugurated the third edition of Varmul Gindo 3.0, Baramulla's biggest multi-sport festival, at Prof. Shoukat Ali Stadium. The event is being organised in collaboration with the J&K Sports Council, the District Youth Services & Sports Department and the Baramulla Sports Association. The month-long sporting extravaganza aims to provide a competitive platform for young athletes while strengthening social cohesion across the district. The inaugural ceremony was attended by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Dagger Division, who was the chief guest.  Among others present were the MLAs of Baramulla and Gulmarg constituency, Commander TMG Brigade, Arjuna Awardee Rupali Patel Singh, senior officials of the J&K Sports Council, civil administration, Army officers, sportspersons, students and members of the local community. Held under the theme "Tarjuman-e-Aman" (Messenger of Peace), the festival seeks to promote peace, unity, inclusivity and youth empowerment through the transformative power of sports. Nearly 3,000 boys and girls from all major tehsils of Baramulla district are expected to participate in this year's edition, competing in more than 20 sporting disciplines, including football, tennis ball cricket, volleyball, rugby, hockey, handball, kabaddi, basketball, kho-kho, athletics, karate, wushu, chess, table tennis, snooker and several other indoor and outdoor events. The competitions will be held at over 15 venues across the district, ensuring widespread participation and community involvement. The festival commenced with an exhibition rugby match, symbolising teamwork, resilience and determination while setting the stage for the month-long sporting celebration. Addressing the gathering, the GOC, Dagger Division, described Varmul Gindo 3.0 as more than just a sporting event. "It is a celebration of the aspirations, talent and resilience of the youth of Baramulla. Through sports, we aim to nurture discipline, teamwork, leadership and confidence while strengthening the bonds of peace, unity and national integration across the Valley," he said. The MLAs of Baramulla and Gulmarg lauded the initiative, describing it as an important platform for nurturing sporting talent and encouraging young people to adopt healthy lifestyles. They appreciated the collaborative efforts of the Indian Army, civil administration and sports bodies in creating meaningful opportunities for the youth. Interacting with the participants, Arjuna Awardee Rupali Patel Singh urged the young athletes to pursue excellence with dedication and perseverance. She said discipline, hard work and determination remain the key ingredients of success and encouraged participants to make the most of the opportunities offered by the festival. Officials said all competitions will be conducted under the supervision of recognised sports federations and qualified technical officials to ensure professional standards and fair play. Besides identifying emerging sporting talent, Varmul Gindo 3.0 aims to strengthen communal harmony and foster lasting bonds among the youth, reinforcing Baramulla's growing reputation as a hub for sports and positive youth engagement.

Baramulla, June 19: Continuing its vibrant calendar of sporting activities, the Department of Youth Services & Sports (DYSS) Baramulla today commenced the Inter-Zonal District Level Kho-Kho Championship for Under-17 Girls at the picturesque HS Khawaja Bagh Ground, Baramulla. The championship has attracted an impressive participation of 18 zonal teams comprising 216 talented girl athletes representing different educational zones of the district. The tournament is being conducted in a league format, providing every participating team ample opportunity to showcase its skills, teamwork, agility, and sportsmanship. On the opening day, all participating teams played multiple league matches, with each team scheduled to compete in four matches. The championship witnessed thrilling encounters and remarkable performances from the young athletes, reflecting the growing popularity and competitive standards of Kho-Kho across the district. The tournament aims to identify and nurture emerging sporting talent while promoting physical fitness, discipline, teamwork, and a healthy competitive spirit among students. The championship will continue tomorrow, where the remaining league fixtures and subsequent rounds will determine the top-performing teams. Speaking on the sidelines of the event, DYSSO Baramulla, Mushtaq Ahmad Pampori, lauded the enthusiastic participation of the young athletes and appreciated the efforts of field officials, technical staff, and zonal contingents for ensuring the smooth conduct of the competition. He emphasized that DYSS Baramulla remains committed to providing quality sporting platforms for students and creating opportunities for talented players to excel at higher levels of competition.

Thessaloniki (Greece), June 3: An 11-year-old Atiqa Mir reinforced her status as India's leading racer on the world stage with the most dominant performance of her career in Round 2 of the Champions of the Future Academy Program, making a clean sweep of qualifying, heat races and the finals here. Atiqa, the first Indian to be supported by the Formula 1 Academy, set the benchmark in a highly competitive field in the OK-NJ category (age 12-14) It is remarkable what she has managed to achieve in her first season in this category, giving the more experienced drivers (mostly male) a hard time on the track. Be it the qualifying, heats and two finals, Atiqa was in a league of her own throughout the weekend. With her sensational show, she became only the third driver to in the series' history to sweep the qualifying, heats and finals. While she led with admirable poise and calm on track all through the week, the little girl in her understandably got emotional when the Indian national anthem as she stood atop the podium. Atiqa is aiming to become the first female in Formula 1 since the early 1990s. She won Round 2.2 by a more than 2.6 seconds, a massive margin in motorsport considering all 25  drivers were running on the same equipment. Born in Mumbai with family roots in Jammu and Kashmir, Atiqa bagged the pole position in qualifying with a record time of 56.77, almost three tenths ahead of the second place driver, demonstrating skill well beyond her age and experience. In Heat Race 1, Atiqa dominated the race from start to finish. In Heat Race 2, she bossed the field again, winning by more than a second  ahead of her nearest competitor, putting her in P1 grid position for the final. In the gruelling 15 lap final, Atiqa took control of the race at the start and demonstrated a racing masterclass, pulling away to 3.9 seconds advantage in merely eight laps.  "It is such a difficult and physical track and I managed to win all the races. I was very emotional when the National Anthem played and there is no better feeling for me than that,” said Atiqa. A day earlier in Round 2.1, Atiqa had qualified fourth due to setup issues but she still finished P2 and P1 in the two heat races. Atiqa's father Asif Mir, a former Formula Asia vice-champion, was a happy man after a special weekend. “I was surprised by her pace, aggression and professional approach all weekend. She wa every upset from Day 1 after the crash in the Final. I think that drove her to give such a commanding performance. A proud moment for Indian Motorsport," said Mir.

Banihal, May 31: The Banihal Premier League (BPL) season 11 was inaugurated at the Banihal Sports Stadium on Sunday by the ruling party MLA Sajjad Shaheen. The event is being organised In an effort to encourage youth participation in sports and keep them away from drug abuse. The knockout-format cricket tournament features 64 teams from across Jammu and Kashmir, making it one of the largest sporting events in the region. Speaking on the occasion, MLA Sajjad Shaheen appreciated the efforts of BPL organiser Danish Farooq Mir and his team for successfully conducting the tournament. He said that cricket is the most popular sport among the youth and provides a valuable platform for talented players to showcase their abilities. The MLA said he was committed to development of Banihal Sports Stadium into a modern sporting facility. He announced funds worth  ₹1.5 crore for the installation of floodlights, water facilities, pavilion infrastructure, and spectator seating arrangements at the stadium. The opening match of the tournament was played between Kashmir XI and Jammu XI which attracted hundreds of spectators to the venue. Batting first, Kashmir XI posted a massive total of 273 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 18 overs. Ishtiyaq Illahi Robby starred with the bat, scoring a brilliant 105 runs off just 47 balls. When the report was being filed, Jammu XI had scored 45 runs for the loss of three wickets in four overs while chasing the target.

‘Achievement would motivate aspiring athletes across J&K to pursue sports with passion, determination’ Srinagar, May 18: Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Monday felicitated young boxing sensation 14 year old Mohammad Yaseer of Rajouri for his historic gold medal at the Under-15 Asian Boxing Championship held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Mohammad Yaseer, a 14-year-old boxing prodigy from Rajouri, scripted history by winning the gold medal in the 58-kg category after defeating the host nation Uzbekistan in the final bout. Representing India at the prestigious championship, the young boxer displayed exceptional courage, resilience and determination to bring laurels to the country and Jammu & Kashmir. During the felicitation ceremony, the Commissioner Secretary along with Secretary J&K Sports Council Nuzhat Gul and other officials from the department congratulated Yaseer for his remarkable achievement and termed his success a proud moment for Jammu & Kashmir and the entire nation. “Yaseer’s journey is truly inspiring. Despite hardships, he has shown extraordinary dedication and commitment towards the sport. His achievement at the Asian level is a testament to his hard work and the immense sporting talent present in Jammu & Kashmir,” Shahid Choudhary said. He further said that the achievement would motivate the aspiring athletes across the Union Territory to pursue sports with passion and determination. Dr. Shahid Iqbal reiterated the government’s commitment towards strengthening the sports ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir and providing better opportunities, infrastructure and exposure to young athletes so they can excel at national and international platforms. The felicitation ceremony also acknowledged the contribution of Yaseer’s coaches, family members and support staff in shaping his successful journey.

Srinagar, May 11: The 3rd Annual BML Silver Rolling Basketball Trophy 2026 concluded on a high note with electrifying matches, spirited competition, and remarkable displays of talent from participating schools across the Valley. The tournament witnessed adrenaline-packed clashes, roaring crowds, and unforgettable moments that celebrated the true spirit of basketball and teamwork. The spotlight of the tournament firmly shone on Birla Open Minds International School Pampore as the BOMIS Pampore Boys delivered an exceptional campaign throughout the tournament. Displaying extraordinary coordination, discipline, and determination, the team stormed into the finals after defeating the formidable Tyndale Biscoe Boys School in a gripping semi-final encounter. The grand finale witnessed an intense showdown between BOMIS Pampore Boys and Dolphin International School. In a thrilling and high-energy contest, the BOMIS boys dominated the court with remarkable confidence and tactical brilliance, securing a resounding victory with a final score of 36–15. Their relentless energy, sharp execution, and unwavering team spirit made the match a truly adrenaline-packed spectacle for the audience. Adding another feather to the school’s cap, Mohammad Ibrahim of BOMIS Pampore Boys was deservedly declared the Player of the Tournament for his outstanding performances, consistency, and leadership on the court throughout the championship. The tournament not only highlighted athletic excellence but also promoted values of sportsmanship, resilience, leadership, and unity among young athletes. The remarkable success of the event reflects the growing enthusiasm for basketball in the region and the dedication of schools toward nurturing sporting talent. The management, coaches, and supporters of BOMIS Pampore extended heartfelt congratulations to all participating teams and applauded the exceptional efforts of the players who made the tournament a grand success.

Srinagar, May 9: The University of Kashmir ( KU) on Saturday marked the grand culmination of the All India Inter University (AIIU) Wushu Championship (Men & Women), scripting a historic chapter in the sporting landscape of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The championship was organized by the Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, KU under the aegis of the Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi. The six-day mega sporting extravaganza witnessed an unprecedented response from across the nation. A remarkable 195 universities and over 1500 athletes participated, making it one of the largest inter-university Wushu championships ever conducted in India. The championship provided a vibrant and competitive platform for emerging Wushu athletes to demonstrate their technical finesse, agility, and fighting spirit. It not only fostered excellence at the university level but also served as a crucial preparatory ground for athletes aiming to represent India at the upcoming World University Games scheduled to be held in Brazil in June. The concluding ceremony was held with a glittering prize distribution at the iconic SKISC Srinagar and featured an impressive prize distribution function. The event was graced by Registrar KU Prof. Naseer Iqbal, as the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, Prof. Naseer Iqbal expressed immense satisfaction and pride, stating that the University of Kashmir has created history by successfully hosting a sporting event of such magnitude and national importance in the region. He highlighted that the enthusiastic participation of youth from every corner of the country, exhibiting zeal, discipline, and sportsmanship, stands as a powerful testament to the unifying spirit of sports. He further commended the Directorate of Physical Education and Sports ( DPE& S) KU for elevating the university’s sporting profile to national prominence and acknowledged their meticulous planning and execution. Among other distinguished dignitaries present on the occasion were Prof. Showkat Ahmad Shah Provost Boys KU, Prof. Pervez Ahmad Dean Students Welfare KU, Prof. Waseem Bari Director South Campus KU, AIU Observer Dr. Brij Kishore, Sheikh Asif Deputy Registrar KU, along with officers, coaches, and officials from the DPE& S. The Organizing Secretary and Coordinator DPE&S KU  Dr. Surjeet Singh, presented a comprehensive report outlining the scale, achievements, and seamless organization of the championship. He extended sincere gratitude to the university administration, participating institutions, Jammu and Kashmir Police, athletes, and all stakeholders for their invaluable support and cooperation. Lovely Professional University, Phagwara emerged as the Overall Champions, while the University of Manipur secured the Runners-Up Trophy. The winners were felicitated with trophies and mementos by the Chief Guest with applause and celebration. The proceedings of the ceremony were conducted by Assistant Director DPE&S  Dr. Nadeem Ahmad Dar while the vote of thanks was delivered by Assistant Director DPE&S Dr. Basharat Ali.