29/08/2026
*Youth Services & Sports Department Poonch Continues National Sports Day 2026 Celebrations with Tribute to Major Dhyan Chand*
Poonch, August 29, 2026: The Department of Youth Services & Sports, Poonch, continued the three-day celebrations of National Sports Day 2026 on its second day today with great enthusiasm and active participation of students, youth, sportspersons, teachers, field staff and sports enthusiasts across the district.
The celebrations are being organised to commemorate the birth anniversary of legendary Indian hockey player Major Dhyan Chand and to promote the values of sportsmanship, discipline, fitness, teamwork and healthy living among children and youth.
As per the Day-2 Action Plan, special Morning Assemblies were organised in schools across the district, wherein students and teachers paid tribute to Major Dhyan Chand and participated in the approved National Sports Day Pledge. The initiative aimed to create awareness among students about the importance of sports and physical fitness in daily life.
Under the initiative “Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein”, students were encouraged to spend at least one hour playing a sport or game of their choice. The Department also promoted “One Class, One Game”, encouraging each class to participate in a sporting discipline and actively engage in physical activity.
Schools organised Teacher vs Student Matches, Sports Challenges, relay races, penalty shoot-outs, treasure hunts and other sports-based activities to encourage maximum participation and create a healthy competitive spirit among students.
Special emphasis was laid on Indigenous Games, with students participating in traditional games such as Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, Pithu, Lagori and other locally popular sporting activities. The initiative aimed at promoting traditional sports and reconnecting the younger generation with the rich sporting culture of the region.
Wherever feasible, schools also organised Annual Sports Festivals, with students and teachers participating in various sporting activities and wearing sports attire to reflect the spirit and theme of National Sports Day.
On the occasion of National Sports Day 2026, various sports activities were organised across schools in all 11 Zones of District Poonch. The activities witnessed enthusiastic participation of students in different sports disciplines, with a total of 14,390 students taking part in the celebrations. The initiative aimed at promoting sports, physical fitness, discipline and a healthy sporting spirit among school-going children across the district.
The Department also encouraged Community Sports Festivals, involving children, youth, women, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Family sports activities and neighbourhood sports competitions were promoted to strengthen community participation and encourage people of all age groups to remain physically active.
A significant highlight of the Day-2 celebrations was the presentation of Appreciation Certificates to 113 players/students of District Poonch who participated in the 69th School National Games held in different States of the country. The Department appreciated their dedication, efforts and sporting achievements in representing District Poonch at the national level.
The Appreciation Certificate distribution was organised across all 11 Zones of District Poonch at the zonal level, where participating students were felicitated for their participation and contribution. A special certificate distribution programme was also organised at the District Headquarters, Poonch, to recognise and appreciate the players who participated in the 69th School National Games.
At the District Headquarters, the programme was organised at the Shaheed Manjit Singh Astro Turf Hockey Ground, Boys Higher Secondary School, Poonch. A Hockey Exhibition Match was also played on the occasion in memory of Major Dhyan Chand, paying tribute to the legendary hockey player and celebrating his immense contribution to Indian hockey.
The programme was graced by Shashi Kant, DySP DAR Poonch, as the Chief Guest. Sanjeev Kumar, Vice President, Hockey Jammu & Kashmir, DYSSO Poonch Mohd Qasim, and Activity Incharge Vijay Kumar Sharma were also present on the occasion, along with officers, field staff, teachers, students, sportspersons and other staff members of the Department.
Mr. Pawan Kumar, PEL, and Mr. Pervaiz Ahmed Malik, Rehbar-e-Khel Physical Teacher, served as the Technical Incharges for the National Sports Day celebrations.
The Chief Guest appreciated the efforts of the Department of Youth Services & Sports, Poonch, in promoting sports at the grassroots level and felicitating young sportspersons who represented District Poonch at the 69th School National Games. He encouraged the students and young athletes to remain dedicated, disciplined and committed towards their sporting goals.
The Hockey Exhibition Match provided young players an opportunity to showcase their skills while remembering the legacy of Major Dhyan Chand. The event also highlighted the importance of hockey and other sporting disciplines in encouraging youth towards a healthy and active lifestyle.
The Day-2 celebrations witnessed enthusiastic participation across the district and reinforced the message of “Sports for All”. The activities provided students and youth with opportunities to participate in sports, develop teamwork and sportsmanship, and understand the importance of regular physical activity.
The three-day programme has been designed to spread awareness about the importance of sports and physical fitness while inspiring the younger generation to adopt sports as an integral part of their daily lives. The celebrations underline the Department’s commitment towards strengthening grassroots sports and creating greater opportunities for budding athletes across District Poonch.
The entire programme is being conducted under the overall supervision of DYSSO Poonch, Mohd Qasim, with the active coordination and guidance of Activity Incharge Vijay Kumar Sharma. Officers and field staff of the Department are working together to ensure the successful conduct of National Sports Day activities across all zones of the district.
The Department of Youth Services & Sports, Poonch, will continue the celebrations on August 30, 2026, with further sports and fitness-related activities, further strengthening the message of “Sports for All” and inspiring children and youth to remain active, healthy and dedicated towards their sporting goals.
