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ALTAF HUSSAIN
MENDHAR, JUNE 01:- In a significant milestone for sports promotion in the border region of District Poonch, the trials for the Eisen OCR Championship 2026 were successfully conducted at Sagra Stadium, Block Mankote, drawing enthusiastic participation from young athletes from across Sub Division Mendhar. The championship witnessed participants from all three blocks of the subdivision — Mankote, Mendhar and Balakote — making it one of the largest and most diverse sporting events organized in the area in recent years.
The venue for the championship trials was deliberately chosen as Block Mankote, an Aspirational Block known for its immense youth potential but limited exposure to large-scale sporting platforms. Organizers stated that bringing such a championship to Mankote was aimed at providing local youth with opportunities that are often available only in urban centers.
The event featured a series of physically demanding obstacles, including Box Jumps, Spider Crawls, Tire Flips, Burpees Race, Archery Challenge, Hurdle Race, and the Warped Wall, testing the participants’ strength, endurance, agility, speed, balance, and mental toughness.
The occasion was graced by Commanding Officer 30 Punjab, Anil Kumar Samal, who attended as the Chief Guest, while SHO Mendhar Habib Pathan was present as a special guest. Their presence greatly encouraged the participants and added prestige to the championship.
Addressing the gathering, Commanding Officer Anil Kumar Sammal praised the organizing team for successfully conducting a championship of such scale in a remote border area. He remarked that organizing an event comparable to national-level competitions in a far-flung region reflects dedication, vision, and commitment towards youth empowerment through sports.
As a token of appreciation, the Commanding Officer presented a memento to the administration team of Eisen OCR Championship, acknowledging their efforts in bringing this unique sporting platform to the youth of the region.
Speaking on the occasion, SHO Mendhar Habib Pathan emphasized the importance of sports in keeping youth away from social evils.
“Drugs are a curse that can gradually destroy our society. The youth must channel their energy towards sports, education and positive activities,” he said.
Referring to gold medal-winning boxer Mohammad Yasir, Habib Pathan told the participants that many talented youngsters like Yasir are present among them.
“There are many Yasirs hidden among you. What they need is a platform and proper guidance. Events like this help identify and nurture that talent,” he remarked.
The SHO also appreciated Mr. Shoaib, the head of the organizing team, for taking the initiative to conduct such a major championship in a border area and creating opportunities for rural youth to compete at a high level.
The organizing team expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Army, especially 30 Punjab, for extending timely support and cooperation that played a crucial role in making the event successful. They stated that despite limited preparation time, the Army stood firmly behind the organizers and helped ensure the smooth conduct of the championship.
Local residents, sports enthusiasts and participants widely appreciated the efforts of Eisen Sports and the organizing committee. Many described the event as historic, noting that it is rare for youth from all three blocks of Mankote, Mendhar and Balakote to come together on a single sporting platform.
The championship also ensured equal opportunities for both boys and girls, with separate participation categories encouraging wider involvement and inclusivity in sports.
At the conclusion of the trials, prizes worth ₹7,000 were distributed among the top three performers. The selected participants have now qualified for the District-Level Grand Finale, which will be held in District Poonch in the coming days.
Organizers informed that the grand finale will feature a prize pool of ₹70,000, making it one of the most attractive sporting competitions in the region. Athletes selected from the Mankote trials will now represent their respective areas at the district-level championship and compete for top honours.
People from the region termed the championship a landmark event for the Pir Panjal area, stating that hosting such a large-scale obstacle racing competition in an Aspirational Border Block demonstrates the immense sporting talent that exists in rural areas. They expressed hope that more such events would be organized in the future to provide opportunities, exposure and motivation to the youth.
The successful conduct of the Eisen OCR Championship 2026 trials at Sagra Stadium has sent a strong message that talent knows no geographical boundaries. With participants from all three blocks of Sub Division Mendhar competing together and advancing towards the district-level finale in Poonch, the championship has emerged as a symbol of fitness, unity, determination and youth empowerment in the border region.
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