State govt committed to holistic development of students: Goma

The state-level under-14 boys’ sports competition concluded at Dharampur in Mandi district yesterday.

Ayush, Youth Services and Sports Minister Yadvinder Goma was the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the event.

Goma emphasised the government’s commitment to promoting sports alongside education, stating that both were essential for the holistic development of children.

A total of 462 students from 12 districts participated in various sports — including kabaddi, volleyball, kho-kho and badminton.

In kabaddi, Solan district emerged as the winner, followed by Shimla in second place and Sirmaur in third.

In volleyball, Shimla secured the first position, with Mandi and Solan taking the second and third places, respectively. Hamirpur district won the kho-kho competition, while Mandi and Shimla finished in second and third places.

In badminton, Kangra district claimed the top spot, followed by Una and Sirmaur.

In the march-past, Solan district was recognised for its excellence, with Shimla being declared the overall winner. Goma congratulated the participants, and highlighted the importance of sports in educational activities.

He expressed hope that the young athletes would represent the state in national competitions in the future, showcasing their dedication and discipline under the guidance of their coaches.

The minister said the state government was committed to ensuring the comprehensive and inclusive development of students. He announced that physical education and yoga would be made compulsory subjects in schools, allowing students to engage in at least 15 minutes of physical exercise daily.

The Health and Ayush Department would provide training in CPR and first-aid to equip children with life-saving skills, he added.

Highlighting the government’s educational reforms, Goma talked about the introduction of initiatives to enhance the education system, which were, he said, already yielding positive results.

He emphasised the importance of academic knowledge and physical fitness in shaping responsible citizens.

He also reiterated the government’s dedication to improving the quality of education and healthcare facilities in the state, including plans for infrastructure development in educational institutions. The government was focused on providing laptops to primary school teachers to promote digitalisation in education, he added.

Dharampur MLA Chander Shekhar welcomed the minister and raised concerns about the rising drug abuse in society, calling for collective efforts to combat the challenge, and encouraging the youth to engage in sports for their physical and mental wellbeing.

During the event, the minister distributed awards to the winners, and officially declared the competition closed.

Block Congress presidents, educational officials and representatives from local governance institutions were among those present at the event.