<span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">In the Kashmir Valley, Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad kickstarted the District Rugby Championship at S. K. Stadium in Bandipora as a part of 'Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav'.</span> The activities would run up to the forthcoming Independence Day Celebrations. The championship is being organized by Bandipora Rugby Association under the aegis of J&K Sports Council.<br />''The two-day long championship started yesterday. More than 22 teams in Boys and Girls, Men and Women categories are participating in the championship.<br />''<br />''Dr Owais while interacting with the players expressed satisfaction about the youth of Bandipora excelling in sports. He said, the youth have potential and talent and there is a need to polish this talent. He maintained that events like these championships would certainly help the local talent to get exposure so that their talent can be polished to make them available for international and national platforms.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #000000;">Dr Ahmad advised players to adopt a healthy lifestyle and stay away from the menace of Drug Abuse and asked participants to take active part in sports as it helps in the Personality Development besides enhancing the decision making capability of an individual.</span><br />