Slathia hails growing interest among J&K youth in wrestling

JAMMU, 21 Oct 23: Former minister and Pradesh BJP Vice President Surjeet Singh Slathia today hailed the growing urge among youth for wrestling, saying Dhangal has a great future given the attention it gets at the national and international level.

“Wrestling is a traditional sport in the country whose past is enriched with glory and I have no doubt that it holds promise for the future as well”, Slathia said at the concluding ceremony of the Peer Baba Chatala Wrestling Competition at Bari Brahmana in Vijaypur Assembly Constituency.

He described the performance of the participants as great and hoped that the wrestlers would impress the competitors by their bouts at the national events too. He said the event being held at regular intervals emerges like a festival, with a joyous mood in the crowds who celebrate victories of their favourite wrestlers.

Slathia referred to the holding of various events in the recent past across the Vijaypur Constituency and said this speaks the love of youth towards the traditional games. He said these events enthuse and encourage budding sportspersons to showcase their talent at wider canvass.

Pradesh BJP Vice President said wrestling is gaining popularity and the day is not far when local youth from the Constituency will make their mark at big events. He said wrestling continues to remain a passion for its practitioners and fans whose number is substantial, notwithstanding the challenge being posed by other popular games speak about a great future for the sport. He said J&K has no dearth of talent but the need is to identify and coach them in their respective sport.

Slathia complimented the organizers for making the event successful and wished them all the best in their future endeavours as well.

Besides thousands of sports lovers, prominent among those who witnessed the competition included the President of the organizing Committee Vijay Singh besides members Nar Singh, Ghulam Naqvi, Shakti Singh, Ghulam Mustafa, Fateh Mohammed, Rakesh Singh and Mohammed Goni.

The organizers introduced Slathia, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, with the participating wrestlers. He congratulated them for their performance, saying this will serve as inspiration for the budding wrestlers of the area.