Nahan, Himachal Pradesh: Rain tried to play spoilsport but failed to dent the spirit of the young boys as the 1st ONGC Himachal Pradesh Youth Football Festival kick off with great pomp and show at Nahan on Tuesday.

Gracing the opening ceremony as the chief guest was Sanjeev Katwal, president, Himachal Pradesh Football Association who thanked all the teams for participating in this event. “I thank each of the team for coming all the way to take part in this goodwill tournament."

Katwal also encouraged the kids to come forward and take active part in sports, taking example of Himachal lad, Vijay Kumar, who won Silver in the London Olympics.

“Vijay Kumar has shown us that nothing is impossible. So come forward and embrace sports with true determination and you will be rewarded like the champion shooter.”

He also stated, “Himachal Pradesh Football Association is working tirelessly to bring the state into the football map of the country. And with the kind of work being done, it won’t be long before we see the light”, he added.

Gen. Secy. Deepak Sharma, in his speech, once again reminds all that Himachal has got the talent to make it big. “People of Himachal Pradesh are very talented, it just needs to be nurtured in the right way and that the FA is doing everything possible to groom the kids.”

“When we were young, we dreamt of playing against the likes of Mohun Bagan but never got the chance. But today, you kids are getting. Make the most of it,” Sharma said, encouraging the local boys present there.

Then under flood lights, an exhibition match between Tibetan National Sports Association Women’s football team and Jamuna Nagar Football Academy Women’s team took place where the later triumph by 2 goals to nil.

Prior to the opening ceremony, two matches took place where DFA Una defeated DFA Kullu while DFA Chamba defeated Vision Football Academy, Rohru.

By Indian Sports News Network