The J&K UT Senior Basketball Championship, organized by the J&K Basketball Association under the aegis of the J&K Sports Council, concluded with fervor at MA Stadium today. Featuring spirited participation from 15 teams—11 men’s and 4 women’s—the championship showcased the talent and passion for basketball across the Union Territory.
In the men’s final, District Jammu clinched a hard-fought victory over STC Jammu, with the game concluding at an exhilarating scoreline of 72-69. The match kept the audience on the edge of their seats, as both teams displayed outstanding skill and determination. Earlier, the battle for third place saw J&K Police defeat Udhampur with a final score of 77-70, securing their place on the podium.
In the women’s category, the Warriors emerged victorious, demonstrating remarkable coordination and strategy to claim the championship title. Reasi district took the runner-up position in a commendable performance.
The championship began with a warm welcome by Dr. Vikram Handa, President of the J&K Basketball Association, who acknowledged the growing popularity of basketball in the region. Chief Guest Nuzhat Gul, Secretary of the J&K Sports Council, graced the occasion and applauded the energy and skill exhibited during the nail-biting matches. She reiterated the Sports Council’s commitment to promoting basketball by assuring the provision of courts in every district of J&K in the near future.
Dr. N.S. Bhutyal, Superintendent of GMC Jammu, served as the guest of honour. Aman Sharma, Secretary of the J&K Basketball Association, presented an annual report on the association’s activities, highlighting its efforts to foster the sport across the region.
The closing ceremony saw several dignitaries in attendance, including Rajeev Sharma, Member of the J&K Sports Council; Kuldeep Gupta, Technical Director of the Kabaddi Federation; Suraj Bhan, Manager of the Indoor Stadium; DSO Baljinder Singh; and Ashok Singh Jamwal, Senior Vice President of JKBA. Also present were Faisal Hameed, Treasurer of JKBA; Sushma Jamwal, Chief Coach of the JK Sports Council; and Shubham Sharma, Mentor of Khelo India. Coaches and officials like Rohan Kundal, Kunal, Manoj Kumar Solanki, Rajesh Bandral, and Harpreet Singh contributed to the smooth execution of the tournament.
The championship provided not only a platform for competition but also an opportunity for athletes to build camaraderie and sportsmanship. With the promise of enhanced facilities and continued support from the J&K Sports Council, the future of basketball in the region looks bright.
