Bandipora, September 24: The District Bandipora Wushu Championship 2026 and District Bandipora Rugby Championship 2026 began on Thursday at Government Higher Secondary School, Purana Tulail (PTL), Gurez, with more than 200 children from different schools participating in the two district-level sporting events.
The championships, being held on September 24 and 25, aim to take organised sports to the far-flung areas of Gurez and provide local children with opportunities to learn about different sporting disciplines, gain competitive exposure and showcase their abilities.
The District Wushu Championship is being organised by the District Wushu Association Bandipora, while the District Rugby Championship is being organised by the District Rugby Association Bandipora.
Ahead of the championships, instructors from Ali’s Sports Academy volunteered to train the participating students. The instructors conducted practice sessions and introduced the children to the basic rules, techniques and requirements of the respective sports, helping prepare them for district-level competition.
The instructors said that while interacting with and training the children, they found considerable talent, physical strength and enthusiasm among the youngsters. They said that with proper guidance, regular training and opportunities to compete, many of these children have the potential to excel in their respective sporting disciplines.
Captain Naveen attended the events as the Chief Guest, while the Vice Principal, Government Higher Secondary School PTL, Gurez, was the Guest of Honour. Padma Shri awardee Faisal Ali Dar was also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Captain Naveen appreciated the initiative of taking organised sporting competitions to a far-flung area like Gurez. He said it was encouraging to see children from remote areas getting exposure to competitive sports and opportunities to discover their interests and abilities. He added that such platforms can help develop confidence, discipline and a competitive spirit among young athletes.
The Vice Principal, Government Higher Secondary School PTL, Gurez, expressed gratitude to Faisal Ali Dar for bringing district-level sporting competitions to the area.
He said it was encouraging to witness official-level sporting championships being held at PTL and expressed hope that more such events would be conducted in the area, giving local children greater opportunities to develop their sporting abilities and compete at higher levels.
Speaking about the championships, Faisal Ali Dar said the purpose of taking such championships to border areas is to introduce children to sporting disciplines about which they have limited information and exposure. He said such platforms can help identify talent from border-affected areas who can go on to represent district, UT and the country, while also inspiring other children to take up sports.
Dar said that this is the first time district-level championships are being organised in Tulail, marking an important step in taking organised sports to children in the border areas.
He said district-level sporting championships have previously been conducted in Gurez, but bringing such competitions to Tulail for the first time would help expand sporting opportunities further into remote areas.
On the Rugby championship, Dar highlighted the importance of the sport as a team game, saying rugby teaches children teamwork, coordination and team building. He said success in rugby depends not only on individual ability but also on how effectively players communicate, coordinate and support one another.
He added that introducing team sports in far-flung areas can help children develop these qualities while exposing them to sporting disciplines they may otherwise have limited opportunities to learn. Such platforms, he said, can also help identify promising talent from remote and border areas and provide them with a pathway to higher-level competition.
The Wushu and Rugby championships will conclude on September 25 with award ceremonies, where outstanding performers will be recognised for their performances.
