KULGAM, AUGUST 17: Multi-discipline sports tournaments for girls were inaugurated Monday at the Sports Stadium, Kulgam, in a major step towards women empowerment.
The tournaments were inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Shahzad Alam, in the presence of Additional Deputy Commissioner, Vikar Ahmad Giri, District Information Officer, District Social Welfare Officer, and other officers and officials alongwith participating sports persons.
The tournaments, as per an official statement, are being organized by Sankalp Hub for Empowerment of Women, Kulgam, under the flagship Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ (BBBP) scheme.
The month-long tournaments feature competitions in cricket, football, volleyball, badminton and basketball. Block-level teams from across the district are participating with the objective to identify and nourish the sports talent of young girl sportspersons and provide them a platform to showcase their skills at district level.
Speaking on the occasion, the DC highlighted the various initiatives being undertaken by the district administration to empower girls of the district. He said the administration is committed to creating equal opportunities for girls in education, sports, and livelihood.
“Along with organizing sports events, we are providing assistance for NEET coaching, skill development training for women, strengthening Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and facilitating enrollment of women and girls in different government welfare schemes. The goal is to ensure that our daughters scale new heights in their respective careers,” the DC stated.
The DC further emphasized that sports plays a vital role in building confidence, discipline and leadership among girls. “An empowered girl means a stronger tomorrow for our society and for the nation,” he added, while also highlighting the role of women welfare services of the social welfare department through the SHEW, OSC, DCPU offices.
“Focus on your all round development, pursue different career options including civil services while cherishing sports engagement simultaneously”, he exhorted upon the student sportspersons.
The ADC also addressed the gathering and underlined the importance of such events and said that platforms like these are crucial for honing the talent of budding and aspiring girl athletes and for encouraging more girls to take up sports as a career.
Following the inaugural ceremony, DC Kulgam interacted with the girl sportspersons and encouraged them to participate with a spirit of sportsmanship, work hard, and aim to represent Jammu & Kashmir at national and international levels and assured them of full support for training, equipment, and exposure.
