Football tourney dedicated to fight against drugs begins in Ahmedgarh today

The 13th chapter of the annual three-day football tournament organised by the Ahmedgarh Sports and Welfare Association will commence on Friday at MGMN Senior Secondary School, said officials, adding that this time, the event is dedicated to the statewide fight against drugs.

A total of 32 teams have registered the event, the organisers said.

Gagan Ajit Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Malerkotla, will inaugurate the event and administer an oath of dedication to eradication of drugs to the organisers and participants.

The host organisation has already announced its association with the statewide campaign against drugs, Yudh Nashian Virudh.

“Having received approval from the police, we decided to dedicate the annual tournament to the war against drugs,” said Shiv Kumar Buta and Arvind Maavi, association leaders. They added that all individuals associated with the tournament, including organisers and players, will sign a written declaration to the effect.

They said only the players who declare to support the campaign launched will be allowed to participate in the tournament.

Appreciating the initiative, SSP Singh said special teams of police had been constituted under supervision of Sukhdev Singh Brar, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Ahmedgarh, for setting up stalls on the premises during the tournament. “We appreciate the gesture of the organisers and will deploy our teams to spread awareness about causes and consequences of the menace of drug abuse,” said Singh.

The organisers said all preparations had been made for safe and smooth conduct of the event.