UT rural sports meet an instant hit

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 11

The Rural Sports Meet, aimed at exploring talent in the rural areas of Chandigarh, is finding great support among budding athletes and residents.      

Over 400 athletes are participating in the first of 

its kind championship organised by the UT Sports Department.     

“It’s good to have such games, especially for the rural areas. In recent years, we have seen a steep fall in rural kids’ participation in inter-school events. However, this championship will encourage more players and would revive the popularity of sports in the city,” said Rupinder Kaur, a participant. 

The Sarangpur Sports Complex, the venue for the ongoing meet, was under locks since 2014 and was prepared overnight to host the championship. 

“It’s a great effort by our team and I am confident that such events will be a game changer for the talented players of rural areas. The event has seen a tremendous response. With the help of the UT Education Department and Sarangpur villagers, we are trying to provide the best of facilities to the participating teams,” said Sports Director Tejdeep Singh Saini.

It’s also for the first time that all the participating teams are being provided with kits and diet. To extend a helping hand, Sarangpur sarpanch on Tuesday announced to provide free milk to all the participants. The winners will also be presented cash awards. 

“The main aim of rural games is to connect to more and more players. The administration has done a decent job for the first year. The players are happy and so are the residents. They should make it an annual affair so that more people come forward next year,” said sarpanch Sadhu Singh.