55th National School Games to take off from Sept 25

The Department of Youth Services and Sports shall be hosting the 55th National School Games Cricket Championship for boys under 16 years age group at Srinagar from 25th to 30th September, 2009 under the aegis of School Games Federation of India. This was stated by the Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Medical Education and Technical Education, R.S Chib today while addressing a Press Conference at Srinagar. Special Secretary, Technical Education and Youth Services and Sports, B.A Runiyal, Director, Youth Services and Sports, G.M Dar, Joint Director Information, Kashmir, Farooq Ahmed Lone, Dy. Director Sports, Nilofar Ji, Dy. Director Information, Kashmir, Mohammad Yaseen Khan and officers of several other departments which included Education, Health, Security and Sports were present on the occasion. Chib said that this is the maiden event of 55th National School Games 2009-10 to be hosted by J&K State. All the State, Union Territory teams affiliated with School Games Federation of India have been invited to participate in the Championship. About 26 teams across the country have confirmed their participation, he said. About 550 players and officials are expected to participate in the event. He said that inaugural ceremony shall be held at Bakshi Stadium Srinagar on 25th of September at 11:30 AM and the Minister for sports shall declare the games open. The matches shall be played on league-cum-knockout basis in various educational institutions of Srinagar. In case of any exigency, stand by arrangements have been made, he said. Earlier, a high level meeting was held under the chairmanship of Special Secretary, Technical Education and Youth Services and Sports B.A Runiyal in order to finalize the arrangements for forthcoming 55th National School Games being held in Srinagar. The meeting discussed threadbare the arrangements for the purpose. Runiyal directed the officers of various departments to make coordinated efforts in ensuring hassle free national event a success. Director, Youth Services and Sports, G.M Dar apprized the meeting about the steps being taken by his department in providing all possible facilities to participating teams coming from various states of the country. He said in all 26 teams are taking part in the National Games. Joint Director of Information, Kashmir, Farooq Ahmad Lone suggested that for effective publicity of the event, a Media Centre should be set up in the Control Room, wherefrom requisite information is provided to the media. Deputy Director, Sports, Nilofar Ji giving details of the event informed the meeting that the National Games shall be inaugurated by Minister for Youth Services, R.S Chib on 25th September at Bakshi Stadium. She said that the final event shall be held on 30th of September at Srinagar. Officers of PHE, Health, PDD, Education, and Youth Services and Sports were present in the meeting. Deputy Director of Information, Kashmir, Mohammad Yaseen Khan also attended the meeting.