DC Srinagar inaugurates Inter-Zonal District Level Football Tournament for ‘Drug Free Srinagar’

SRINAGAR : With an aim to channelise the talent of youth positively, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad today inaugurated Inter-Zone District Level Football Tournament for ‘Drug Free Srinagar’ under “Mission Waapsi campaign” at Polo Ground, here.

The Tournament has been organized by the Department of Youth Services & Sports(YS&S), Srinagar and is being held from September 01 to September 06, 2022 in which 32 teams in Under-19 Boys category from different Schools of the District are participating.

After formally inaugurating the tournament, the DC witnessed the inaugural match which was played between teams of S P Higher Secondary School and Minto Circle School. He also interacted with the players of the participating teams and extended his best wishes.

Speaking on the occasion, the DC urged upon the youth to join the efforts of Administration in their fight against drug-menace and keeping youth away from drugs and work together to achieve a drug-free Srinagar.

The DC said that the Srinagar Administration has launched “Mission Waapsi’ initiative to raise awareness against the ill effects of Drug Abuse and against the nuisance of Drugs with a strong commitment to uproot the drug peddling and eliminate the drug menace completely to achieve the goal of a drug-free Srinagar.

The DC further said that it is an endeavour of the District Administration Srinagar to rehabilitate the victims of drug addiction by providing them dignified livelihood through proper counselling, guidance and handholding under Government Self-Employment schemes. He said that the initiative also involves community participation on a large scale.

On the occasion, the DC administered the oath to the participating students that they will not indulge in any kind of drugs and pledged to eradicate drug menace from the society to make Drugs Free Srinagar.

The DC asked the youth to take part in sports activities with added zeal and actively and also contribute in eradication of drug menace from the society.

The District Youth Services & Sports Officer, Balbir Singh, TT Incharge, Mir Nazir Ahmad and other officers/officials of YSS were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, in the morning, Balbir Singh in presence of other senior officers and officials of the department led an anti-drug abuse pledge ceremony at Youth Hostel Srinagar. Field employees of the Youth Services & Sports Department & students in large numbers attended these Anti Substance Abuse Programs.

Giving details about the matches played today, it was informed that the first match played between S P Higher Secondary School and Minto Circle School at Polo Ground was won by S P Higher Secondary School. The second match was played between Higher Secondary School Khonmoh and SMI, Parraypora which was won by HSS Khonmoh. The third match was played between Burnhall School and BHSS Khimbar which was won by Burnhall school.

Similarly, 3 matches under the initiative were also held in the playground of M.P Higher Secondary School in Sher-e-Khaas of the District. In the first match S.P blue defeated BHSS, Batmaloo, in second match Iqbal memorial School defeated Doon International School. In the third match Kashmir Harward defeated Green Valley Educational Institute.