Haryana has won the title in the girls’ category and Delhi in the boys’ category in the 60th National School Under-17 Volleyball Tournament (boys and girls) that concluded in here on Saturday. Uttarakhand secured bronze medal in boys’ category. The sports ground was full with spectators.
The tournament began at the Pavilion Ground in Dehradun with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat having inaugurated it on November 18. About 1,200 players, coaches, managers and officials of school games federation from about 40 units across the nation participated.
In boys’ category, Delhi secured the title of the championship and defeated Uttar Pradesh in the final match held at Pavilion ground on Saturday. In girls’ category, Haryana got the title and defeated Tamil Nadu. Uttarakhand secured third position in the boys’ category while Maharashtra in girls’ category.
The Education Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani congratulated the winners and appreciated the efforts of departmental officers for the successful sports event. He awarded the winters of the tournament with medals and cash prizes. A monetary award of `9,000 for the team securing first place and `7,000 and `5,000 to the teams getting second and third position respectively in the tournament was given to the teams by the Minister.
Meanwhile, the much- awaited final match between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh started at noon on Saturday and finally Delhi defeated Uttara Pradesh with 25-17, 25-19 and 25-20 and won the title. Uttarakhand defeated Kerala and secured third position. In a nail- biting match between Haryana and Tamil Nadu in girls’ category, Haryana defeated Tamil Nadu with 27-25, 25-23, 15-25 and 25-21. Maharashtra defeated Karnataka and secured third position.
The Education Minister Naithani, Indian Volleyball union president Avdesh Chaudhary, directors CS Gwal, RK Kunwar took salute on a spectacular march past which was taken out by the students belonging to National Cadet Corps (NCC), NSS and different schools of the State. The students of different Government schools presented cultural programmes on the occasion.
On the occasion, Minister Naithani also awarded the Uttarakhand players who had won the gold medal in the National under 17 Cricket Tournament held recently in Madhya Pradesh. Coach Santosh Kumar was also awarded.
It should be mentioned that over 600 players from almost all the states and organisations participated.
Earlier in the opening ceremony, the Chief Minister Harish Rawat declared a monetary award of `9,000 for the team securing first place and `7,000 and `5,000 to the teams getting second and third positions respectively in the tournament. Rawat had also announced that all the members of Uttarakhand teams would be given track suits.