Sopore, Nov 9 (KNS): Sanctorum Institute on Monday inaugurated a football astro-turf facility in Sopore, aiming to promote sports among students and provide young people with opportunities to engage in activities beyond academics.
The facility was inaugurated by Sopore MLA Irshad Rasool Kar in the presence of senior police and civil administration officials, educationists, sports enthusiasts and prominent citizens.
Addressing the gathering, Joint Director North Kashmir Hakeem Tanvir Ahmad, who attended the event as guest of honour, said educational institutions had an important role in providing opportunities to young people beyond classroom education.
Referring to concerns over drug abuse among youth, he said sports could help channelise their energy towards constructive activities and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
He, however, stressed that parents also had an important responsibility in shaping children's future and providing them with the right guidance.
"Parenting should be prioritised. Children are no different from what we were during our childhood. What matters is how we guide them and provide them with the right environment," he said.
Welcoming the introduction of evening sporting activities, Ahmad said such initiatives would encourage students to participate in sports and help boost their morale.
Speaking on the occasion, Kar said Sopore had emerged as an important educational centre in north Kashmir, with more than 20,000 students visiting the constituency every day for education.
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"It is a matter of pride for me that more than 20,000 children come to my constituency every day to study and receive education," he said.
The MLA said students from the area were participating in national-level events and expressed hope that local talent would eventually represent the country at national and international platforms.
Sanctorum Institute Chairman Shakir Ashraf said the astro-turf was established to provide students with a dedicated sporting facility and encourage them to balance academics with extracurricular activities.
"Our motive is to keep students engaged in sports and provide them with a platform where they can focus equally on their studies and sporting interests, particularly during evening hours, when such facilities are lacking," he told Kashmir Convener.
He said the institution would introduce more initiatives through the Sanctorum Sports Club to promote sports and provide opportunities to young talent across the district.
The inauguration was attended by Additional SP Sopore Sarfaraz Bashir, SDPO Mohammad Rafi, former Municipal Council president Masrat Rasool, SRM Welkin Chairman Haji Anayatullah Hajni, Vice-Chairperson Baseema Aijaz, Tehsildar Sopore Sheikh Tariq, sports activist Javid Ahmad Bhat, ADC to the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Sheikh Adil, Congress leader Sheikh Amir, Sopore Traders Association president Haji Ashraf Ahmad Ganie and ARTO Sopore Mudasir Ahmad, besides parents and senior citizens. (KNS)
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