Jammu, January 14:
The Jammu–Kashmir team is officially on its way to represent the Union Territory at the upcoming National Box Langdi Kabaddi Championship. The team, selected by the Jammu–Kashmir Academy of Unity, departed from Jammu today for the tournament, which is set to commence on January 16 in Shirdi, Maharashtra.
To ensure the athletes are well-prepared, a special distribution ceremony was held where tracksuits and sports shoes were provided to the team members with the support of IFFCO Jammu–Kashmir.
Chief Guest Calls for a “Drug-Free Jammu”
BJP Jammu & Kashmir Vice President, Mr. Rajeev Charak, attended the send-off as the chief guest. In an impassioned address to the players, Charak emphasized that sports are the most effective tool for steering the youth away from social evils.
“India is the youngest country in the world. Strengthening our nation is only possible if we channel the energy of our youth into sports,” Charak stated.
He further noted that the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi—a Drug-Free India—can only be achieved if young people choose the playground over addiction. Charak urged the players to compete with spirit at the national level and assured them that the doors of support are always open for any athlete in need.
Key Figures in Attendance
The event, organized by Zahur Wani, brought together several prominent figures from the sports and agricultural sectors to motivate the departing squad:
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IFFCO Jammu–Kashmir: General Manager Mr. Shoukat Bhat and Field Officer Vivek Sharma.
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Local Leadership: Pacca Talab Bahu Fort Chairman Kuldeep Raj Gupta, Satpal Sharma, and Hardesh Khokhar.
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Coaching Staff: Team coaches Sunil Kumar and Ajay Kumar.
The Road to Shirdi
The team will arrive in the Shirdi region of Maharashtra just in time for the championship on January 16. Box Langdi, a dynamic sport combining traditional elements of Langdi (one-legged tag) and Kabaddi, has been gaining significant traction across India as a platform for physical agility and team building.
Support for Local Talent
The distribution of gear by IFFCO highlights the growing corporate and organizational support for niche traditional sports in the region. The coaches expressed confidence in the team’s preparation, noting that the morale of the players is at an all-time high following the support from local leadership and the community.
