Army Public School secured the championship in the Under-16 boys’ category of the Dharamsala School Football League Season 3, triumphing over Sacred Heart School with a 2-0 victory in the final match held at the Police Ground.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the three-day tournament, organized by the Football Association Dharamsala in collaboration with the Kangra Police, saw participation from 16 school teams, comprising 12 boys’ teams and four girls’ teams. The league aimed to foster young talent and promote sportsmanship among students.
In the semi-final rounds, Army Public School had previously defeated Achievers Hub Public School by a narrow margin of 1-0. Sacred Heart School also advanced to the final after a closely contested match, where they emerged victorious against Petoen School with a 1-0 scoreline. The competitive spirit was evident throughout the knockout stages, leading to an exciting final encounter.
The girls’ category final was also a significant event, with GSSS Gharoh winning the championship by defeating Achievers Hub School 2-0. The performance of the girls’ teams underscored the growing engagement of female students in sports at the school level.
Kangra Superintendent of Police, Kulbhushan Verma, graced the closing ceremony as the chief guest. During his address, he emphasized the critical role of sports in the holistic development of young individuals. Verma highlighted how athletic pursuits are instrumental in cultivating discipline, enhancing physical fitness, and fostering essential teamwork skills among students, encouraging them to view sports as a vital component of their education and personal growth.
Individual accolades were presented to outstanding players. Pragya from GSSS Gharoh was recognized as the Best Player in the girls’ category, while Shanvi of Achievers Hub School received the award for Best Goalkeeper. In the boys’ category, Vedansh from Army Public School was declared the Best Player, and his teammate Aarik was honored as the Best Goalkeeper, acknowledging their exceptional performances throughout the tournament.
Alongside the football league, an awareness campaign was conducted focusing on the detrimental effects of tobacco consumption and drug abuse. Organizers stated that this initiative was designed to encourage young participants to embrace healthy lifestyles and to promote sports as a positive alternative, highlighting its role in instilling discipline and nurturing responsible citizenship among the youth. The campaign aimed to create a lasting impact by educating students on making informed choices regarding their health and well-being.
Varun Gupta, President of the Football Association Dharamsala, expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders involved in making the third season of the league a resounding success. He specifically thanked the Kangra Police for their support and partnership, the participating schools for their commitment, and the coaches, parents, and supporters for their unwavering encouragement and contributions to the event.
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The Chenab Times News Desk