National School Games conclude, Punjab reigns supreme with 8 titles

The week-long 68th edition of National School Games, a premier sporting event for school students organised by the Punjab Education Department under the aegis of the School Games Federation of India with the help of the district administration, concluded here on Tuesday. The hosts, Punjab, emerged the overall champions as they grabbed eight titles.

Nearly three thousand players and officials were in the city to compete in four sports—netball (U-19 boys and girls), netball (U-17 boys and girls), judo (U-19 boys and girls), and karate (U-14 boys and girls). Players from 25 states, three union territories, and nine organisations were seen in action during the event that began on December 11.

Punjab stamped its supremacy by clinching all the titles in the boys and girls sections.

In handball (boys U-19), Haryana secured the second position, and the third spot was bagged by Delhi, while in the girls U-19 section, Himachal Pradesh finished second, and Haryana secured the third spot.

In netball (girls U-17), Chhattisgarh finished first runner-up, and Haryana bagged the third position, whereas in the boys’ group, Chhattisgarh and Delhi secured the second and third positions, respectively.

In the boys U-19 section (judo), the second and third positions were secured by Haryana and Chandigarh, respectively, while in the girls’ category, Delhi secured the second position, and Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Haryana shared the third.

In karate (boys U-14), Delhi and Telangana finished first and second runners-up, respectively, while in the girls section, Tamil Nadu secured the second spot and Haryana finished at the third spot.

The prize distribution ceremony was held at Police DAV School, Civil Lines, where Kamal Kishore Yadav, Secretary, Punjab Education, was the chief guest. He congratulated the position holders and thanked all the participants and officials for organising the games successfully.

Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal and District Education Officer (Secondary) Dimple Madaan were among the other dignitaries present.