Federation national gold cup of volleyball tournament commences in Amritsar

Chandigarh/Amritsar, September 27, 2019: The Federation National Gold Cup of Volleyball tournament today commenced at the multipurpose gymnasium of Guru Nanak Dev University here. This tournament is being organized by the Sports Department Punjab and the Volleyball Federation in commemoration of the centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. The Additional Chief Secretary Sports Sanjay Kumar inaugurated the tournament. The Additional Chief Secretary took salute from the march past presented by the players. In his address, he exhorted the players to display sportsman spirit while playing. Bowing in reverence to the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh, he divulged that a total of 14 teams from across the country are participating in the tournament with around 300 players showcasing their skills. He also added that the tournament would continue till the 3rd of October and the State Government has made adequate arrangements for the stay as well as providing top quality food to the players. On the occasion, Cabinet Minister Raj Kumar Verka while welcoming the players said that sports play a great role in instilling discipline and moral values in the players besides keeping them fit. He also said that it is an article of faith with the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to associate modern day youth with the sports and the present tournament is a part of the strategy. He further said that whereas on one hand the Punjab Government is taking strict action against the blackmarketeers, On the other hand it is the association of youth with sports would strengthen Mission Tandarust Punjab. Addressing the players, the MP from Amritsar Gurjeet Singh Aujla welcomed the players from the other states and said that sports are an integral part of life and only a healthy person can become a good citizen of the society. The Vice President of the federation Vijay Pal Singh welcomed the guests. The students from the education department presented Bhangra and gymnastics. The federation also distributed saplings to the guests to ensure a clean and green environment. Among other dignitaries present on the occasion included the Deputy Commissioner Amritsar Shivdular Singh Dhillon, Vice Chancellor of the Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar Dr.Jaspal Singh Sandhu, SDM Shivraj Singh Bal, Deputy Director Local Government Dr. Rajat Oberoi, General Secretary of the federation Kanwaljit Singh, District Sports Officer Gurlal Singh Riar, Chairman Water Supply and Sewerage Board Pargat Singh Dhunna and Councillor Sukhdev Singh Chahal.