Two-Day UT Ladakh Volleyball Championship (in connection with National Sports Day/Youth Engagement Month) Opens in Drass.

Two-Day UT Ladakh Volleyball Championship (in connection with National Sports Day/Youth Engagement Month) Opens in Drass.
Drass, September 18: In a remarkable celebration of National Sports Day (2026) and Youth Engagement Month, the District Administration of Drass and Department of Youth Services & Sports in collaboration with Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children), supported by HCL Foundation, inaugurated the two-day UT Ladakh Volleyball Championship in Drass today.
The opening ceremony commenced with the National Anthem, marking the formal beginning of the championship.
Deputy Commissioner Drass, Imteeaz Kacho (JKAS), attended the ceremony as the Chief Guest. Also present were Superintendent of Police, Drass, Ishtyaq Kacho; SDM- Drass, Vishal Atri; CMO-Drass. Dr.Asif Hussain; Principal, GDC-Drass, Nasir Shabani; DYSO-Kargil, Abid Hussain and other officers; District President, BJP-Drass, Haji Fayaz Qari; Senior Programme Officer (Sports), HCL Foundation Subham Nautiyal and his team as well as a large number of officials and youth.
Around 140 youth representing seven districts are participating in the volleyball championship, providing young players with an opportunity to demonstrate their sporting talent, teamwork, discipline and competitive spirit.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner welcomed all participating teams and officials to District Drass and said that the volleyball championship involving youth of Ladakh was being organised on such a grand scale in the district for the first time. He appreciated the sincere efforts of the Department of Youth Services & Sports (particularly that of ZPEO Mohammad Ishaq) and all stakeholders involved in organising the event.
The Deputy Commissioner encouraged the players to give their best performance, take their respective teams forward and bring laurels to their districts. Highlighting Drass as a unique destination, he also remarked on the beauty of the region, particularly during the winter season, and wished all participating teams the very best for the championship.
He further expressed gratitude to the Medical Department, PWD and PHE Divisions, Drass District Police, PDD and other departments for their cooperation and support towards organising the event. He stressed the need to ensure greater participation of youth in sporting activities and to provide them with meaningful platforms to showcase their abilities.
Addressing the young players, the Deputy Commissioner also delivered a strong message against drug abuse, urging students to stay away from drugs and other harmful substances. He emphasised that sports plays an important role in building discipline, confidence, physical fitness and a positive lifestyle. He encouraged the participating youth to become ambassadors of a drug-free Ladakh and inspire their peers and communities to choose sports, education and healthy living. The message “Say Yes to Health, Say Yes to Life, Say No to Drugs” was prominently highlighted during the programme.
The opening-day volleyball match was played between the teams of Drass and Nubra, marking the beginning of the competitive sporting events.
The dignitaries appreciated the enthusiasm, discipline and sportsmanship displayed by the participating students and highlighted the importance of creating regular sporting opportunities for children and youth, particularly in the remote and high-altitude regions of Ladakh.
As part of the programme, the Chief Medical Officer organised a medical camp along with awareness activities under the Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 3.0 and Anemia Mukt Bharat initiative. Different departments and organisations also set up stalls, including Flower Mushko and the PHE Department, Kargil, adding an informative and awareness-oriented dimension to the event. Students from KGBV Bhimbat were also present on the occasion and performed an informative skit on drug abuse.
The championship forms part of the broader sports initiatives being undertaken in Drass District to strengthen grassroots sports, identify young sporting talent, encourage the participation of both girls and boys and foster confidence, resilience, leadership and social inclusion through sports.