KARGIL, SEPTEMBER, 29, 2021: Chairman and Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan inaugurated the 1st LG Cup Horse Polo Tournament under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav at Goshan Stadium Drass here today.
Executive Councilor for Tourism Er Phunsok Tashi, Executive Councilor for Works Aga Syed Abbas Razvi, Secretary Sports UT Ladakh Ravinder Kumar, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve, Director Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department Ladakh Muhammad Raza Abbasi, Former Executive Councilor and Councilor Drass Mubarak Shah Nagvi, SDM Drass Anwar Hussain,
DYSSO Kargil Muhammad Hussain Rehnuma, other concerned officers, polo players, and a good number of sports enthusiasts were present at the inaugural ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, CEC Feroz Ahmad Khan thanked the UT Administration Ladakh for taking measures in organizing the first LG Horse Polo Cup at Drass and added that if provided opportunities there is ample talent in youths of Kargil to excel in sports.
Feroz Khan added that youths should focus on games such as Ice Hockey and Archery and try to excel in these games as they can make their career in such games. He also said that the UT Administration on the pattern of Zanskar should organize winter festival in Kargil as well and Drass. He also suggested the Secretary Sports UT Ladakh take measures to build the infrastructure of the Horse Polo Stadium Goshan to an international level and stated that in this regard all assistance will be provided by the LAHDC Kargil.
Khan said that Drass will be a hub of traditional sports like Horse Polo and Ice Hockey in the coming future, and also said that due publicity should be given by media for the promotion of the 1st LG Polo Cup.
Secretary Sports Ravinder Kumar in his address congratulated the people of Drass for the first LG Polo Cup and said that it needs to be preserved as it is one of the traditional games of Ladakh. He added that it is the vision of LG Ladakh that Horse Polo and Ice Hockey should be extensively promoted.
The Secretary of Sports further stated that on department level we are trying to strengthen the sports infrastructure in Ladakh and added that we have to do all measures to turn Drass into a hub of sporting activities and efforts will be made to connect sports with tourism as well and infrastructure improvement pertaining to Horse Polo Stadium Goshan will also be done.
Pertinently,14 teams across Ladakh are participating in the maiden LG Polo Cup and on an inaugural day, Animal Husbandry Leh won over Tahir Holiyal Drass by a margin of 4-1 goals while Bodh Kharbu won over Yulbu Drass over a margin of 10-0 goals.