DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
POONCH, Aug 22
In an inspiring initiative to integrate sports with civic education, District Election Officer (DEO) Poonch, Vikas Kundal today declared the Inter-District Girls’ Football Tournament open, here at Sports Stadium Poonch today. The event, organized under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program, aims to promote both athletic excellence and voter awareness.
Teams from five districts of the Jammu division-Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Reasi, and Poonch shall participate in the tournament, which shall culminate on August 24. The sports event will highlight the prowess of young female footballers and serve as a platform to educate first-time voters about their democratic rights and responsibilities.
Throughout the tournament, the SVEEP officials will interact with players and attendees, providing crucial information and resources to encourage their active participation in the electoral process. The effort aims to ensure that young athletes are not only celebrated for their sporting talents but also informed about their role in shaping the future through voting.
Outstanding players from the tournament will be selected to form a division-level team, with prospects to advance towards Union Territory (UT) and national level competitions.
The DEO emphasized the dual focus of the event, stating, “By declaring this tournament open, we celebrate the athletic achievements of these young women while also highlighting the significance of their involvement in our democracy. Through this integration of sports and voter education, we aim to inspire these athletes to be both champions on the field and responsible citizens.” The SVEEP team, led by Vikas Kundal, interacted with the participants, engaging them in discussions about the importance of their role in the society. The young athletes shared their experiences and insights with the team, fostering a meaningful exchange that highlighted both their sporting achievements and their newfound understanding of their roles as future voters. Meanwhile: Principal and SVEEP team members AC Surankote Motivated the young voters for the upcoming assembly election by organizing a painting competition and awareness rally.
