MLA opens 37th Jarkhar Sports Festival at village

The 37th Jarkhar Sports Festival, commonly known as the ‘Modern Rural Mini Olympics,’ kick-started at Jarkhar village, about 15 km from here, on the Ludhiana-Malerkotla road, near Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib, Alamgir, on Friday.

The Jarkhar stadium was decorated tastefully by the sponsors—Royal Enfield, Coca-Cola, and Avon Cycles. MLA Jiwan Singh Sangowal inaugurated the festival, while Markfed Chairman Amandeep Singh Mohi was the guest of honour at the event.

The guests took salute from school students during the march-past. Sangowal handed over a cheque of Rs 18 lakh as grant money to Jarkhar Gram Panchayat for the development works in the village and some construction work at the stadium.

Sangowal appreciated the efforts of the organisers for holding the event for the last four decades. He termed it an unparalleled contribution in preserving the spirit of rural sports.

Students from different schools presented cultural programmes and those from the Dragon Academy mesmerised the spectators with their skills.

Jagroop Singh Jarkhar and advocate Harkamal Singh, chief organiser and president, respectively, of the festival organising committee, extended a welcome to the guests and participants.

On the opening day, in hockey (junior boys), Jarkhar Academy beat Sangrur 2-0, while Chachrari beat Kila Raipur 1-0 to advance into the next round. In the girls’ section, PIS Bathinda beat Mundian Kalan 3-0, and Punjabi University, Patiala, beat Ludhiana Coaching Centre 4-0.

In football (boys), Burj Hakiman beat Mehmasingh Wala, Payal beat Bhutari, Gagran beat Bhutta, Gill beat Siarh, and Kalayan beat Bhainian to qualify for the next round.

In tug of war (girls), Dasmesh Public School, Kaid, beat World Millennium School, Ranjit Avenue.

Gill DSP Harjinder Singh, Sarbjit Singh of Green World, and sarpanches Sandeep Singh Jarkhar, Harnek Singh, and Sant Singh Sarinh were present on the occasion.