225 students register for Ratnagiri district-level school wrestling meet; 78 wrestlers selected
The district-level school wrestling competition at Ratnagiri drew 225 boys and girls, and 78 wrestlers were selected in freestyle and Greco-Roman events.
Interest in wrestling is growing among schoolchildren in Ratnagiri district, and this year's district-level school wrestling competition drew an enthusiastic response. As many as 225 boys and girls registered across various weight categories and tested their skills in the arena. A total of 78 wrestlers were selected from the freestyle and Greco-Roman events.
The competition was held on September 27 at the District Sports Complex in Ratnagiri. It was organised jointly by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Services, Maharashtra State, Pune, the District Sports Council, the District Sports Officer's office, Ratnagiri, and the Ratnagiri District Wrestling Association. The event passed off in a festive atmosphere.
Bouts were held in various weight categories for boys and girls under 14, under 17 and under 19. Students came in large numbers from every taluka of the district. The competition was inaugurated by District Sports Officer Vijay Shinde, who offered a coconut.
Sadanand Joshi, secretary of the Ratnagiri District Wrestling Association, other office-bearers of the association, physical education teachers from various schools in the district, students and parents were present in large numbers. Students had also participated in large numbers in the earlier taluka-level school wrestling competitions. The wrestlers selected there showed their skills at the district level.
To enable students in the district to practise wrestling of good quality, modern wrestling mats have been provided for every taluka through Guardian Minister Uday Samant. This has created a better environment for wrestling practice at the taluka level. With the equipment needed for regular practice now at hand, students are showing a growing inclination towards the sport.
At the district-level competition held at the Ratnagiri District Sports Complex on Sunday, September 27, students of New English High School and Junior College, Kasba, run by the Sangameshwar Education Society, gave a notable performance. As a result, the school has earned the honour of representing Ratnagiri district at the Kolhapur divisional wrestling competition for the fifth year in a row.
Alok Rajendrakumar Pomendkar, a Class 12 Arts student, has been selected for the Kolhapur divisional wrestling competition on the strength of his performance in the under-19, 77 kg category in Greco-Roman wrestling.
