UT Ladakh Volleyball Championship commences in Drass, 140 Youth from seven Districts participate

DRASS: Around 140 young players representing all seven districts of Ladakh are participating in the two-day UT Ladakh Volleyball Championship, which opened in Drass on Thursday as part of National Sports Day 2026 and Youth Engagement Month.

The championship has been organised by the District Administration of Drass and the Department of Youth Services & Sports, in collaboration with Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children) and with support from the HCL Foundation. The event seeks to provide young players, particularly those from remote and high-altitude areas, an organised platform to compete and develop sporting skills.

The opening ceremony began with the National Anthem and was attended by Deputy Commissioner Drass Imteeaz Kacho (JKAS) as chief guest. Superintendent of Police Drass Ishtyaq Kacho, SDM Drass Vishal Atri, CMO Drass Dr Asif Hussain, Principal GDC Drass Nasir Shabani, DYSO Kargil Abid Hussain and other officials were present.

HCL Foundation Senior Programme Officer (Sports) Subham Nautiyal and his team, BJP Drass District President Haji Fayaz Qari, officials and a large number of young participants also attended the programme.

Welcoming the participating teams, Kacho said the district was hosting a volleyball championship involving youth from across Ladakh on such a scale for the first time. He appreciated the efforts of the Youth Services & Sports Department, particularly ZPEO Mohammad Ishaq, and other departments and organisations involved in the event.

He urged the players to perform to the best of their abilities while maintaining discipline and sporting spirit. He also highlighted Drass as a distinctive destination and spoke of its appeal during the winter season.

The opening match was played between Drass and Nubra, marking the start of the competitive fixtures.

The event also carried a strong public-health message, with Kacho urging young people to stay away from drugs and other harmful substances. He said participation in sports could promote physical fitness, discipline, confidence and healthy lifestyles, and encouraged the players to spread the message of drug-free living in their communities.

A medical camp and awareness activities were organised by the Chief Medical Officer under Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 3.0 and Anemia Mukt Bharat. Various departments and organisations also established information stalls.

Students of KGBV Bhimbat presented a skit on drug abuse, adding an awareness component to the sporting programme.

Organisers said the championship forms part of efforts to strengthen grassroots sports, identify emerging talent and expand participation among girls and boys in Ladakh, while using sports to promote confidence, resilience, leadership and social inclusion.