'Sansad Khel Pratiyogita' kicks off in Karnal

District Sports Officer (DSO) Sudha Bhasin inaugurated the ‘Sansad Khel Pratiyogita’ (MP sports tournament) at Karna stadium on Monday, highlighting the importance of sports in both physical and mental development.

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As part of the tournament’s opening day, matches in kho-kho and kabaddi were held. Bhasin shared that 23 teams participated in the kho-kho matches (13 men’s teams and 10 women’s teams), while 47 teams competed in kabaddi (37 men’s and 10 women’s teams). On Monday alone, 13 kho-kho teams and 19 kabaddi teams played their matches. Four teams emerged victorious in kho kho and will represent the district at the state-level finals on May 11. The winning teams are PS Academy Munak, PM Shri Prem Nagar, Karnal, Bibipur Jattan and Bal Rajputana in Gharaunda.

In kabaddi, 18 matches were conducted. From one pool, two teams were selected for the next stage. The remaining team selections will take place on Tuesday.

Addressing the participating athletes, Bhasin said, “Sports are an integral part of our lives. They are not only a means of entertainment but also vital for maintaining physical fitness and mental strength.” She emphasised how sports instilled discipline, team spirit, and strategic thinking and helped build endurance while keeping illnesses at bay. “Accepting both victory and defeat with grace prepares us to face life’s challenges,” she added. Bhasin also interacted with players and encouraged them to maintain sportsmanship throughout the competition.

Assistant District Education Officer Sangeeta emphasised the social value one imbibed from sports. “Games should be played in the true spirit of sportsmanship. Sports not only develops us physically but also socially,” she said. She added that the state government was running several initiatives to promote sports and encouraged everyone to incorporate sports into their daily lives for holistic development.