## Advisor to J&K Lt. Governor, DGP inaugurate Bandipora sports festival ##

Month-long mega sports festival organized by Jammu and Kashmir Police under its civil action programme was inaugurated in Bandipora District of North Kashmir by R.R Bhatnagar, advisor to J&K Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha and Director General of Police Dilbag Singh.

IGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar; DIG North Kashmir, Mohammad Suleman Choudhary; SP Bandipora Rahul Malik; DC Bandipora Owais Ahmad; CO 3rd Bn CRPF Rakesh Sharma; CO 14th RR Pranav Joshi and other senior civil, police officers were present at the opening ceremony at S.K Stadium Bandipora.

While speaking on the occasion, DGP Dilbag Singh lauded the initiative of Bandipora Police and other partners for organizing sports festival for the youth of the district with the objective of providing them a platform so that they can exhibit their talent and hone their skills.

The DGP said it is one of its kind events in the district as around 218 teams are participating in different sports categories which include volleyball, football, kabaddi, and cricket.

“The players participating in the event are ambassadors of peace and also promote fit and healthy life”, Singh added.

He further said that organizing different sports events is an effort of Jammu and Kashmir Police to bring more cheer on the faces of youth and also spread a message of peace.

The DGP said that this event will surely bring some positivity in the area which was missing since the outbreak of COVID-19. “J&K is the land of saints and we have to follow their footsteps and work together for the peace and stability of Jammu and Kashmir.”

He informed that more sports events for the youth are being organised in near future including sports event in Handwara and added that in Srinagar, a cycle race (pedal for peace) for which large number of cyclists have already completed their registration would be held.

SSP Bandipora while speaking on the occasion highlighted the initiatives taken by Bandipora police for the benefit of general public by organizing Police Community Partnership Groups (PCPG) meetings or youth-oriented events.

He thanked R.R Bhatnagar and the DGP for gracing the opening ceremony and encouraging the youth of the district as this gesture will go a long way in nurturing the sports activities in the district.