600 players for Ist National Inter-School Games

Ferozepur, Nov 26 (UNI) As many as 1600 boys and girls from all over the country will take part in the inaugural prize money Group II first National Inter-School Tournament for Under-16 beginning at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium here tomorrow.

Punjab Sports Director Pargat Singh said here today that the overall champion school in Group I and Group II will get Rs one lakh each as cash prize.

While the Group I tournament in athletics, badminton, basketball and hockey will be held at Kurukshetra from December 7 to 12, the Group II tournament is being organized by the Punjab Sports Department here from tomorrow.

Competitions in Group II will be in volleyball, football, weightlifting, wrestling and table tennis. The Punjab Sports Department has deputed 200 officials for the smooth conduct of the tournament.The venue for the four disciplines is the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium while the football matches will be played at Railway Stadium and the Army ground.

The department is providing free board and lodging, medical and transportation for the convenience of the players.

This tournament is being organized for the first time under the Sports Authority of India's (SAIs) new scheme to encourage sports in schools. SAI had given Rs 75,000 to organize such tournaments at district level and Rs three lakh for the state level tournaments.

The winning schools at district level then participate in the state meet. The winning school at state level is eligible to compete in the National level tournament for which SAI has allocated Rs 10 lakh to the Punjab Sports Department.

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