Hosts win hockey tourney as Jarkhar Sports Fest concludes
Three-day event was aimed at celebrating the state’s rural sports culture
The 38th edition of the Jarkhar Sports Festival, also known as modern rural mini Olympics, concluded on Monday with the hosts winning the hockey tournament.
The three-day event, organised at Jarkhar Stadium in Jarkhar village, was aimed at celebrating the state’s rural sports culture.
In kabaddi’s Naib Singh Grewal Memorial Cup, Ghallughara team emerged champion, defeating Chakar Moga in the final. In senior hockey, Jarkhar Hockey Academy beat Lovely Professional University 3-1 to win the Mahinder Partap Grewal Gold Cup. In girls’ hockey, Punjabi University, Patiala, defeated Lovely Professional University 4-2 to lift the trophy. Jarkhar Academy also won the sub-junior Jagtar Memorial Hockey Cup.
Bhaini Arora (boys) and Gujjarwal (girls) clinched football titles and Ropar won the tug-of-war event. Raikot won the 50+ kabaddi category.
Industrialist Onkar Singh Pahwa; hockey coach and Padma Shri awardee Baldev Singh; Prabhdeep Singh Nathowal, deputy director, Information and Public Relations Department; Simranjit Kaur Gill, Pro Vice-Chancellor, CT University; Davinder Pal Sharma, journalist; budding cyclist Harshveer Singh Sekhon; and veteran hockey player Karamjit Singh Grewal were felicitated during the closing ceremony for their contributions in their respective spheres.
Awards were presented by Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal and MLA Jeevan Singh Sangowal in the presence of Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian.
Seechewal announced a grant of Rs 11 lakh for Mata Sahib Kaur Charitable Sports Trust. Minister Khudian pledged Rs 5 lakh.
During the closing ceremony, a cultural evening featuring noted Punjabi singer Satwinder Bitti mesmerised the audience.
Trust chairperson Narinder Pal Singh Sidhu, chief organiser Jagroop Singh Jarkhar and president Harkamal Singh expressed gratitude to all the sponsors.
