Srinagar, August 22: The trails for the 3rd Dragon Boat Race National Championship was held today at Nehru park Srinagar by the J&K State Sports Council in which over 200 youth, including 70 girls participated. Shri S.M. Sahai, Additional Director General, Armed Police, Civil Defence, HG and SDRF was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The National Championship is being organised in Srinagar by the J&K State Sports Council in collaboration with the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Federation New Delhi from 30th August to 2nd September. Speaking on the occasion Sahai appreciated the Sports Council for organising the event and stressed that the selection process should be free and fair and only the best players should be selected to represent the State. He announced that J&K Police team, comprising of expert players from Police and Civil Defence, would also be participating in the event. He encouraged girl participants to actively take part in sports and avail the various benefits of SRO 349 which provides for reservation for sports persons. Sahai also inspected the joint Quick Response Team of State Disaster Response Force and Civil Defence established at Nehru park and interacted with the volunteers. He assured the rescuers that they would be equipped with motorised boats, life jackets and other rescue equipments.
Earlier, Professor Bashir Ahmed, Member J&K State Sports Council welcomed the participants and guests and gave a brief resume of Water Sports activities initiated by the present Secretary of the Council, Er. Dilip Thussu. Present on the occasion were Abdul Qayum Peerzada, Chief Sports Officer, Harmeet Singh, Supdt of Police East, Aamir Ali, Deputy Chief Warden, Bilquees Mir, Incharge Water Sports, Mushtaq Ahmed, Divisional Sports Officer, Vinod Kumar, SDPO, Riyaz Ahmed, DO Nehru park, Muzafar Jan, Divisional Warden, CD Volunteers, SDRF team, locals and a large number of tourists.
The selection committee constituted by J&K Sports Council comprised of Zahoor Ahmed Latoo, Parvaiz Shagoo, Imtiaz Ahmed, Feroz Ahmed, Adil Mohiuudin and Mustafa Kand. The committee is required to select the best players to form two teams to represent J&K State, one team, comprising of male members and second mixed team, with both male and female participants. 16 States in addition to J&K will be participating in the National Championship comprising of events of 200 mtrs, 500 mtrs and 2000 mtrs.