Jammu, 20 December: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today announced the commencement of the All India Inter-University Fencing (Men and Women) Championship 2022-23 at the University of Jammu.
More than 1000 swordsmen from 100 universities across the country are participating in this grand event.

During the event, the Lt Governor also released the competition mascot and departmental calendar of the Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu.
The Lt Governor also addressed the swordsmen from across the country participating in the championship.

This unique and extraordinary championship is truly inspiring. The Lt Governor said that this would enable and encourage more such sports events and identify future talents and sustainable sports movement in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that contesting in the sport is a victory in itself and it gives an opportunity to the fencers to learn discipline, balance, speed, mental agility, confidence.
As soft power, sports play an important role in bringing regions, nations and diverse cultures together. As a social enterprise, sports give paramount importance to equity, economic development which benefits the entire community, observed the Lt Governor.
Highlighting the vital importance of sports in the globalized world, the Lt Governor said: “Sports can be an instrument of change in the world and change begins with accepting the challenge”.
My mantra for budding players is to stop doubting yourself and go for what you really want in life with full dedication. The Lt Governor said that with determination, hard work and belief, sportspersons can create their own future.
On the transformation taking place in the sports ecosystem, the Lt Governor said, under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is emerging as a strong sporting power. Our focus is on sustainable development of sports, said the Lt Governor.

“Better sports infrastructure has significantly increased sports activities in J&K. Sportsperson-centric policies and schemes, promotion of sports at the grassroots level, world-class coaching and training facilities have infused new hopes and dreams among the budding sportspersons”, said the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor also talked about the reforms initiated to promote sports in educational institutions and steps taken to encourage more youth to participate in sports for their overall development.
The National Education Policy has made sports an integral part of the academic curriculum. It also emphasizes that the curriculum should be focused on holistic education, which would include science, social science, arts, humanities and sports and promote content and human efficiency together, the Lt Governor said.

The aspiration of the country lies in the ambition of the youth. The Lt Governor said that various sports disciplines have become a source of values ​​for new goals, character building and team spirit.
Notably, the University of Jammu has made a provision by adding credits to the results of the students based on their performance in sports.
Prof. Dinesh Singh, Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi, who is also the Vice-Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Council of Higher Education, also addressed the gathering and shared his insightful thoughts and motivational thoughts about sports and congratulated the organizers for the mega event Gave.
Prof. Dinesh Singh highlighted several initiatives of the UT Administration for the promotion and development of sports especially in higher educational institutions and asked the sportspersons to make maximum use of the state-of-the-art resources available to them to hone their skills.
Professor Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, said that sports and sportspersons are getting unprecedented recognition in Jammu and Kashmir under the UT Administration headed by the Lieutenant Governor. He said that a new culture of night sports is being developed under floodlights in the entire UT.

Earlier, Dr. Daud Iqbal Baba, Director, Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu presented a formal welcome address and detailed report of the championship.

The All India Inter-University Fencing Championship is being organized by the Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu. The participants also took an oath to play in true sportsman spirit for the glory of the game.
Nuzhat Gul, Secretary, J&K Sports Council; Deans, faculty members, senior officials, prominent sports personalities, a large number of people and youth were present on the occasion.