Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Dr. G.V. Sandeep, on Saturday inaugurated the District Administration Srinagar’s Rolling Trophy for the Inter-College Cricket Tournament (Men & Women)–2026 at S.P. College Srinagar under the Youth Engagement and Empowerment Programme.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Dr. Seem Naz, Nodal Principal, Kashmir Division Colleges; Elford Thomas, IAS Probationer; Dr. Haris Izhar Tantray, Principal, S.P. College Srinagar; Dr. Hudda Gazali, Principal, Government College for Women Nawa Kadal Srinagar; Dr. Tehmeena Yousuf, Principal, Islamia College of Science and Commerce Srinagar; and Dr. Deeba Sarmad, Principal, GDC Eidgah Srinagar, besides SSP Traffic Srinagar, SP East Srinagar, and SHO Kothi Bagh.
Officials from the Youth Services and Sports Department Srinagar, the Chief Planning Officer (CPO) Srinagar, Physical Training Instructors (PTIs), Assistant Physical Training Instructors (APTIs), and other officers were also present on the occasion.
The inaugural match of the tournament was played between Amar Singh College and Government Degree College Hyderpora. Amar Singh College won the toss and elected to field first.
A total of 18 teams from various Government Degree Colleges have registered for the tournament, including nine men’s teams and nine women’s teams.
The participating men’s teams include Government College of Education (IASE) Srinagar, GDC Hyderpora, Amar Singh College, GDC Bemina Srinagar, GDC Women M.A. Road Srinagar, S.P. College Srinagar, GDC Eidgah, Islamia College of Science and Commerce Srinagar, and Gandhi Memorial College Srinagar.
The women’s category included teams from GDC Zakura, Vishwa Bharati College, Amar Singh College, GC Women M.A. Road Srinagar, S.P. College Srinagar, Gandhi Memorial College Srinagar, Islamia College of Science and Commerce Srinagar, and GC Women Nawa Kadal Srinagar.
Speaking on the occasion, SSP Srinagar highlighted the importance of sports in character building and youth development. He said that tournaments and sporting events not only nurture talent but also channel the energy of young people toward productive and meaningful activities.
He emphasized that the discipline learned through sports plays a vital role in shaping responsible citizens.
He further urged students to stay away from drugs and adopt healthy lifestyles, stating that drug abuse poses a serious threat to society and the future of youth.
“Youngsters must utilise their potential in positive avenues such as sports, education, and community service. Collective efforts from parents, teachers, police, and society are essential to eradicate the menace of drugs,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, Nodal Principal Kashmir Division Colleges Dr. Seem Naz emphasized the importance of sports in promoting youth engagement, discipline, and empowerment. She said that sporting activities help students develop leadership qualities, teamwork, and mental resilience while keeping them focused on constructive pursuits.
She encouraged students to actively participate in extracurricular and sports activities to build confidence and maintain both physical and mental well-being.
Highlighting the growing concern of drug abuse among youth, she stated that educational institutions and society must work collectively to create awareness and provide positive platforms for young people.
“Sports can become a powerful tool in protecting youth from falling prey to substance abuse and other social evils,” she remarked.
The event concluded with enthusiasm among participating students and teams, marking the beginning of the much-awaited inter-college cricket tournament aimed at promoting sports culture and youth empowerment across Srinagar.