Grand Inter-School Sports Tournament 2026 Begins in Zone Mankote to Promote Youth Talent and Sportsmanship

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL 

ALTAF HUSSAIN 

POONCH, MAY 13:- In a major initiative aimed at encouraging sports culture, youth participation, and holistic development among students, the Office of the Zonal Physical Education Officer (ZPEO) Mankote has successfully organized the Inter-School Tournament 2026 for Under-14 and Under-17 Boys and Girls at Higher Secondary School Mankote and High School Uchhad under the approved Activity Calendar for the academic session 2026–27.

The tournament is being conducted under the supervision of the ZPEO Mankote and overall guidance of the District Youth Services & Sports Officer Poonch. The event has drawn enthusiastic participation from students representing various schools across Zone Mankote, reflecting the growing interest of young athletes in sports and extracurricular activities.

The sporting event includes competitions in Volleyball, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Chess, Badminton, and Athletics, providing a valuable platform for students from rural and border areas to showcase their talent, discipline, and competitive spirit. The atmosphere at the venues remained vibrant and energetic as participants displayed remarkable enthusiasm and sportsmanship during the competitions.

The tournament commenced with Under-14 Boys and Girls competitions, followed by Under-17 events, while Athletics competitions for both boys and girls are also being organized as part of the event schedule. The competitions are being conducted in an organized and disciplined manner under the supervision of designated committees constituted by the department.

Sh. Amjad Ahmed Khan, Lecturer, has been assigned as the overall incharge of the tournament and is actively coordinating with various committees and officials to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of all sporting activities.

To facilitate efficient management of the tournament, separate committees comprising Physical Education Teachers (PETs), Physical Education Masters (PEMs), REKs, and other field officials have been constituted for different sports disciplines. These committees are responsible for conducting matches, maintaining discipline, managing fields and courts, screening players, and selecting the most deserving athletes for future competitions.

Officials associated with the event stated that the primary objective of organizing such tournaments is to identify hidden sporting talent from remote and border regions and to channelize the energy of youth towards constructive and healthy activities. They emphasized that sports play a vital role in shaping students’ personalities by promoting physical fitness, confidence, teamwork, discipline, and leadership qualities.

The organizers further highlighted that the Youth Services & Sports Department has been consistently making efforts to strengthen sports activities in far-flung areas so that talented students receive equal opportunities to excel and compete at higher levels. The tournament is also expected to help in selecting outstanding players who will represent Zone Mankote in upcoming Cluster Level Competitions.

All Heads of Institutions have been requested to ensure maximum participation of eligible students and extend full cooperation for the successful conduct of the event. The concerned committees have also been directed to conduct proper screening and maintain eligibility records of participating players to ensure transparency and fairness during the tournament.

Teachers, officials, and local residents appreciated the initiative and termed it an important step towards encouraging youth engagement and nurturing sports talent in the region. They expressed hope that such events would continue to inspire students and contribute positively towards the development of sports culture in border areas.

The tournament has not only created excitement among young athletes but has also strengthened the spirit of unity, healthy competition, and community participation among educational institutions across Zone Mankote.