Mandi, Poonch, October 9: The 31st Throwball Federation Cup 2026–27 for men and women was inaugurated at the BSF Ground, Rajpura, Mandi, in Poonch district on Friday, with Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Amarjeet Singh (JKAS) presiding over the opening ceremony as chief guest.
The three-day national-level championship is being jointly organised by the District Poonch Throwball Association and the J&K 7 Side Throwball Association under the aegis of the Throwball Federation of India. The event is also being held under the banner of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, promoting a healthy and drug-free lifestyle among young people.
Teams representing Karnataka, Odisha, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh are competing in the men’s and women’s categories. The participation of teams from eight states and Union Territories has brought a national sporting platform to the border district of Poonch.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Virender Kumar, Second-in-Command of the BSF’s 53rd Battalion at Mandi, and Dr Ajay Sharma (JKPS), Additional Superintendent of Police, Poonch, as guests of honour.
Former Block Development Council Chairman Mandi Shamim Ganai, former Sarpanch Shahzad Khan, Mubashir Banday, and Anwer Khan, Principal of Boys Higher Secondary School, Mandi, were among the other dignitaries present.
J&K 7 Side Throwball Association President Wilayat Hussain and General Secretary Sahil Ali Beigh also attended the ceremony. State Secretary Syed Imran Hussain Shan played a key role in coordinating arrangements for the championship.
Addressing the gathering, Organising Secretary Imtiaz Ahmed welcomed the dignitaries, participating teams, technical officials and sports enthusiasts. He outlined the arrangements and objectives of the event, emphasising the importance of expanding throwball’s reach and providing athletes with opportunities to compete at the national level.
He said hosting a championship of this stature in Mandi would encourage local youth to take up sports, identify emerging talent and promote interaction among players from different parts of the country.
The association representatives and organisers also highlighted the championship’s social message under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. They stressed that sporting activities help young people develop discipline, teamwork and mutual respect while encouraging them to stay away from drugs and other harmful substances.
The dignitaries appreciated the efforts of the organising committee and congratulated both associations for bringing a national-level competition to Poonch. They acknowledged the contribution of volunteers, officials and supporting institutions in facilitating the event.
The organisers also expressed gratitude to the Shri Baba Budha Amarnath Management Committee and the Tourism Department for their support and cooperation, noting the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting sports and tourism in the district.
Javed Ahmed Lone, President of the District Poonch Throwball Association, delivered the vote of thanks. He acknowledged the support of the chief guest, guests of honour, participating teams, technical officials, supporting organisations and media representatives. He also appreciated the efforts of members of both organising associations in ensuring the smooth conduct of the championship.
The inauguration of the 31st Throwball Federation Cup marks another step towards strengthening the sporting culture in Poonch. Over the three-day competition, the participating teams will compete for honours while promoting sporting excellence, friendship across regions and the message of a drug-free India.
