Srinagar, May 21: J&K Waqf Board Chairperson Syed Darakhshan Andrabi on Thursday inaugurated the District Penchak Silat Championship 2026 at Birla Open Minds International School, where students from across the district are participating in different boys’ and girls’ categories.

Dr Andrabi formally kick-started the championship and inaugurated the first round of tournaments at the school campus. She also interacted with the participating students, coaches and teachers during the event.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Darakhshan said it was encouraging to witness the growing sports spirit among young students in Jammu and Kashmir, which, she said, reflects a promising future for the sports sector in the region.

“Young boys and girls of J&K are having great sports talent. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Khelo India mission and its implementation in Jammu and Kashmir, our youth have excelled in different sports categories at national and international levels,” she said.

She added that the sports infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a major boost over the past several years under the Khelo India initiative.

The Waqf Board Chairperson also appreciated the sports facilities developed by the school administration and praised the institution for creating a modern and holistic educational infrastructure on the campus.