Image Source: TRIBUNE

Originally scheduled to be held in Kashmir, the 65th National School Games Sqay Martial Art Championship for U-14 and U-17 boys and girls will now be held in Jammu at MA Stadium from January 30 to February 3.

Sources said the shifting of the venue for the national-level sporting event was on the cards since the abrogation of Article 370 by the Centre on August 5, 2019. The Tribune had also carried a report in its edition on September 28, 2019, mentioning that due to the prevailing tense situation in Kashmir valley after bifurcation of the erstwhile J&K state into two Union Territories, the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) had not released final dates for hosting the championship.

They added that the SGFI, which is the apex body for conducting the National School Games across the country too had allotted three events to the Union Territory of J&K to host. U-17 volleyball (boys) and U-19 kho-kho (boys) were to be conducted in Jammu and U-14 and U-17 Sqay Martial Art Championship allotted to Kashmir.