KATHUA: District Kathua Powerlifting Association in collaboration with Kathua Campus, University of Jammu under the aegis of All J&K UT Powerlifting Association organized 5th Kathua Bench Press Championship 2022 for men and women in equipped and unequipped categories to promote sports in Kathua district in general and in Kathua Campus in particular.

More than 85 lifters participated in the championship in which 12 were girls. The participants had participated in sub -Junior, Juniors, Senior and Master categories. The best male lifter (in Sub jr. Category) is Mohd. Toseef who lifted 70kg, Anshu Sharma (Jr. category) lifted 110kg.

The best male lifter (in Senior category). is Rubham Sharma who lifted 200kg, highest in the competition, Dr. Amit Puttoo lifted 107.5 kg.

Best female lifter in Jr category was Swastika Som who lifted 50 kg, miss Sonakshi Tangari lifted 50 kg in Sr. Category and miss Shahina who lifted 45 kg.The winners were awarded with Medals and certificates and they are selected for U.T level Championship.

Chief Guest of the event, Dr. Meenakshi Kilam, Rector Kathua Campus, University of Jammu inaugurated the valedictory ceremony. She welcomed the guests and encouraged them for more dedication and contribution in the field of sports.

She reiterated that the infrastructure of Kathua Campus is open for the youth of the region for practicing sports. She further said the collaboration of the Campus with District Kathua Powerlifting Association is in the series of initiatives aimed at bringing close the civil society of Kathua and Kathua Campus for contributing societal development of Kathua district.

Guest of Honour, Ravinder Kumar Sharma, President, District Kathua Powerlifting Association appreciated the efforts of District Kathua Powerlifting Association and Kathua Campus, University of Jammu to collaborate for organizing 5th Kathua Benchpress Championship. Further, he congratulated all the winners and applauded the efforts of Kathua Campus, University of Jammu for providing facilities to organize the championship.

He encouraged the participants and said regular sports/fitness activities keep us physically and mentally fit. He aimed towards more progressive efforts that shall be put in future so that youth get benefited from these types of events.

Whileemphasizingontheimportanceofbeingfitandhealthy Dr. Jogbinder Singh Soodan, Physical Director, GDC Kathuaencouraged the audience in general and students of the Campus in particular to actively participate in sports activities. He said youth of Kathua district should make maximum utilization of these type of sports events to channelize their energy in the positive direction.

Shabeel Ahmed, General Secretary, District Kathua Powerlifting Association delivered formal vote of thanks and Ritika Goyal, Lecturer, Kathua Campuscoordinated the whole programme.

The technical support was aided by Dr. Zaheen Ansari, Dr. Sunny Sharma and Pranav Ratta.

Ajay Sharma, General Secretary, All J&K UT Powerlifting Association, Anjally Gupta, Avni Sharma, Gaurav Sharma, Sunny Sharma, Ranjeet Pathania and Rakesh Sharma were also present during the programme.