Jammu : Braving chill, the spikers on the opening day showed strength as the week-long 48th Junior National Volleyball Championship for Boys and Girls took off on Monday amidst fanfare here at Maulana Azad Stadium.
The championship will conclude on November 19.
Advisor to Lieutenant Governor J&K UT, R R Bhatnagar declared open the competition and took salute to the march-past 52 contingents depicted the concept of Unity in Diversity showcasing thereof 26 States and Union Territories in the championship.
Vice-President Volleyball Federation of India and Chairman Control Committee of the Championship Vijaypal Singh welcoming the dignitaries gave an overall view of Volleyball standard in the country with special reference to all out efforts being made by the federation to promote the game in high standards.
Singh expressed gratitude on behalf of Volleyball Federation of India to Volleyball Association of J&K, J&K Sports Council, J&K Government and all other stakeholders for their contribution in making this event a grand success after a gap of 14 Years in J&K.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhatnagar lauded the efforts of organizers, all J&K Government departments, sponsors from the corporate sectors for their cooperation in the mega sports event wherein over one thousand players and officials all over the country are participating in the championship.
Bhatnagar urged the organizers to ensure participants are taken around various tourist spots of Jammu City which is popularly known as City of Temples.
“Act as ambassadors on your return to respective areas to apprize the people about our culture heritage and peaceful atmosphere prevailing in J&K UT at present,” said Bhatnagar.
Amongst dignitaries Mukesh Singh, Additional Director General of Police Jammu Zone, Chairman Special Organizing Committee, Pankaj Kumar Sharma- Excise Commissioner J&K UT, Subash Chibber, Director Youth Services and Sports, Anil Choudhary, Secretary General Volleyball Federation of India, Chandan Kohli, SSP Jammu Member Special Organizing Committee, Raj Daluja, Working President Special Organizing Committee, G E Sridharan National Volleyball Coach, Arjuna and Dronacharya Awardee, Presidents/Secretaries of different J&K Sports Associations, Members of J&K Sports Council, Sports Lovers etc were present on the occasion.