Kargil: Vice Chancellor, University of Ladakh, Prof. Saket Kushwaha inaugurated the Inter-College Sports Meet-cum-Youth Fest started today at the Kargil Campus of the University of Ladakh. The mega event is aimed at spirited competition, cultural celebration, and youth engagement organized by the Department of Physical Education, Kargil Campus, University of Ladakh.
Students from Kargil and Leh Campuses of the University of Ladakh, as well as Government Degree Colleges from Kargil, Drass, Khaltsi, Nubra, Zanskar, EJM College Leh, and the Sankoo Campus of GDC Kargil participated with great unity and enthusiasm.
The Vice Chancellor, University of Ladakh, Prof. Saket Kushwaha, graced the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest accompanied by a host of esteemed dignitaries, including Registrar Mr. Nawang Tundup, Shri Mohd. Sajjad Khan, Councilor of LAHDC Kargil; Prof. Faizan Ahmad, Head of the School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology; Dr. Mehboob Ali, in charge Administration at Kargil Campus; Dr. Jaffar Ali Khan, Dean of Social Sciences and Arts. The event also witnessed enthusiastic participation from faculty members, student union leaders, referees, coaches, and students from various departments, all of whom added to the occasion’s grandeur.
In his special address, Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Saket Kushwaha congratulated the Kargil Campus team for their excellent organization of the Inter-College Sports Meet-cum-Youth Fest. He reiterated the importance of sports and games in education and pledged to make the fest an annual tradition at both university campuses. Reflecting on his first hundred days in office, he shared those seventy five percent of his proposed initiatives had already been implemented. He also announced the inclusion of Horse polo in future university sports events. He reminded students that the event was not a tug of war, but a celebration of unity and shared purpose.
In his welcome address, Dr. Mehboob Ali emphasized that sports were not just games but powerful platforms for building discipline, character, emotional resilience, and teamwork. He expressed hope that the meet would inspire athletic excellence and strengthen relationships among the colleges.
Dr. Ali also acknowledged the efforts of various collaborating departments, including the Tourism Department, Information Department, Medical Services, the Indian Army’s Eighth Mountain Division, Youth Welfare and Sports Department.
Registrar Mr. Nawang Tundup in his address stressed that sports and games were integral to education and development. He underscored the values of discipline, teamwork, and integrity as guiding principles for all athletes. He commended the Kargil Campus for its efficient organization and applauded the vision of Vice Chancellor Prof. Kushwaha for driving such initiatives forward.
Sajjad Khan, Councilor Saliskote, LAHDC, Kargil, echoed the sentiment that sports offered more than recreation—they taught vital life lessons. He highlighted archery as a game that cultivated focus and goal setting, sharing the story of Arjun from Indian mythology as a metaphor for concentration and determination. He urged the university to continue organizing such events regularly and praised Kargil Campus for its significant strides in academic and extracurricular development.
Dr. Janardhan Roy, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Education, provided an overview of the event. He described the fest as a vibrant celebration of youth unity and emphasized that the goal was not merely to win medals but to build camaraderie and shared identity. He explained that the sports competitions were divided into male and female categories, with archery and handball scheduled for the first two days and cultural events planned for the final day to celebrate artistic and cultural expression.
A rally led by the Kargil Campus team featured all participating colleges marching with pride, each college flag held high by team leaders as a symbol of identity and sportsmanship. This was followed by the oath-taking ceremony, led by Maqsuma Banoo, a student of Kargil Campus, who administered the athlete’s pledge with the teams repeating it in unison, committing themselves to fair play and unity.
As a gesture of appreciation and respect, a memento was offered by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Saket Kushwaha, to Shri Sajjad Khan, Councilor of LAHDC Kargil. Additionally, a special award was conferred upon Mr. Mohd. Javaid, the physical education teacher and coach at Kargil Campus, in recognition of his recent selection as a national volleyball coach for India—a proud moment for the entire university community. These honors reflected the University’s gratitude for the individuals’ outstanding contributions to sports and education.
In recognition of their contributions, coaches and referees including Mr. Bakir Ali, Mr. Mustafa Kamal, Mr. Mohd. Hussan, and Mr. Sadik Ali were felicitated. Mr. Mohd. Jawed, the physical education teacher and coach at Kargil Campus, along with the presidents of the student unions from both campuses, also received commendations for their vital roles in organizing and supporting the event.
The official inauguration of the games was marked by a symbolic and visually captivating gesture—a drone and a mini motor vehicle, presented by the I-Hub Centre, carried handballs through the air and on the ground, embodying innovation and the spirit of sportsmanship. The presentation showcased technological creativity and added flair to the ceremony. Following this, dignitaries, team captains, and coaches signed the inauguration board, officially launching the fest. The event then kicked off with an energetic handball match between EJM College Leh and the Leh Campus of the University of Ladakh, setting an enthusiastic tone for the three-day celebration.
