Tariq khan cni
Poonch— With a vision that transcends the boundary lines of a cricket field, the 5th Edition of Poonch Premier League 2025 began with grandeur, energy, and a powerful message at its heart. The tournament was inaugurated in a festive ceremony that brought together athletes, dignitaries, and community members to celebrate not just the love of cricket, but a collective commitment to youth empowerment and national pride.
The event was graced by Chief Guest SSP Poonch Mr. Shafkat Hussain Bhat (JKPS), a respected figure known for his proactive efforts in youth development and community engagement. He was accompanied by several Guests of Honour Mr. Mohan Lal Sharma (Additional SP Poonch), Mr. Mohammad Sayed (JKAS) (ACR Poonch), Mr. Khaliq Hussain Choudhary (DySP DAR), Mr. Tariq Khan (Chairman Shaheed Manjit Singh Volleyball Club
Poonch), Priyanka Singh (Centre Administrator One Stop Centre Poonch) & Dr Muhammad Waseem Bhat, whose presence added further prestige to the occasion.They were also accompanied by Pervaiz Malik Afridi (Chairmain Rahul Dravid Cricket Club Poonch), Vijay Kumar Sharma (PEM), Pawan Kumar Mannu (PEL), Sayed Imran Hussain Shah (Chairman
Khidmat Foundation), Abass Malik (Chairman HHWS) Sated Zakir Hussain Shah, Zamir Sheikh, Ajaz Malik REK, Sajjad Rather REK, Aman Sharma REK, RJ Bashir Broadcaster (State Sport Live) Imtiaz Lone, Syed Talit Waseem (REK) and Er. Kamran Ahmed Qadri (Management PPL).
In his inaugural speech, Mr. Bhat extended his heartfelt congratulations to all participating teams, urging them to play with passion, discipline, and true sportsmanship. He offered special praise to Mr. Pervaiz Malik Afridi, the driving force behind the league, and the entire management team of Poonch Premier League for their extraordinary dedication and vision. Mr. Bhat acknowledged their efforts in organizing such a meaningful tournament, designed not only to promote sports but also to guide the region’s youth away from destructive habits such as drug abuse.
“This tournament is more than just a game,” Mr. Bhat remarked. “It is a platform for channeling youth energy into constructive activities and for instilling values that shape future leaders.”
What makes this edition of the Poonch Premier League truly unique is its socially conscious theme. Centered around national initiatives like “Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan” (Drug-Free India Campaign), “My Youth My Pride”, “Say No to Drugs, Yes to Sports”, and “Clean India, Green India”, the league is rooted in the belief that sports can serve as a catalyst for positive change.
The tournament organised by Rahul Dravid Cricket Club, Poonch Youth and Khidmat Foundation in the collaboration with Civil Administration Poonch, J&K Police District Poonch, Indian Army, Department of Youth Services and Sports and Sports Council. CNI