68th National School Games U-17 Boys: Delhi emerges overall Champion; Haryana, Punjab claim 2nd & 3rd spot

Tara honours champions; terms participating athletes as ambassadors

JAMMU: Securing a total of 20 points by winning one gold, four silver and 3 bronze medals, formidable Delhi emerged champions of 68th National School Games U-17 Boys Judo, organised by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, J&K, under the auspices of School Games Federation of India (SGFI) at Indoor Sports Complex Bhagwati  Nagar here.

Winning two gold and one silver medal and securing 13 points, Haryana remained on the second spot, while the third place went to Punjab by winning one gold, one silver and one bronze medal to secure a total of nine points.

Jammu and Kashmir stood at 12th spot out of a total of 35 participating  teams in the Championship, winning one silver medal which was claimed by Ridhum by producing a stellar performance.

Saiyam Choudhary of Chandigarh, who took part in -50 kg category, was declared as the best Judokas of the Championship.

The Director General Youth Services and Sports, Sh Rajinder Singh Tara was the chief guest on the Medal Ceremony, who along with Joint Director Youth Services and Sports Jammu, Sh Ved Prakash, Deputy Director Youth Services and Sports, Sh Jitendra Mishra and a galaxy of District Youth Services and Sports Officers, presented medals to the winners and the technical and officiating panel of the Championship.

Describing the participating Judokas as the ambassadors of the nation, the Director General Sports said that the sportspersons are the messengers of peace, harmony and prosperity, adding mega events like this apart from promoting sports, also promote tourism, besides helping youth not to derail from the mainstream.

He lavished praise on the participating team and the organising team for showing the sporting spirit, thus making the event a grand success.

"Completion of U-17 Boys Judo Championship is just a tip of an iceberg as three more Championships under SGFI will be hosted by J&K in the historic month-long series of tournaments including Fencing, Wushu and Football apart from Judo," said Mr Tara.