Jammu, June 16 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Director General Youth Services and Sports, Anuradha Gupta, on Monday termed sportspersons as the messengers of peace, prosperity, and harmony, stating that these personalities often serve as brand ambassadors due to their influence, popularity, and ability to connect with wide audiences.

Anuradha this morning flagged off the J&K contingent for the 78th Senior National Aquatic Championship here from Maulana Azad Stadium.

A contingent of 10 swimmers with 5 men and 5 women, selected on merit, will be proceeding for the event to be organised by the Swimming Federation of India at Bhuvneshwar in Odisha from June 22 to 26.

Congratulating J&K Swimming Association for its endeavours in providing playing opportunities to J&K youth and promoting sports in every nook and corner of the Union Territory, Anuradha said that J&K possessed immense sporting talent and the dire need is to hone it at the grassroots level.

She wished the contingent the best of luck and advised them to play the game with sporting spirit and preserve the sanctity of the same.

Hoping for a good show from these swimmers at the national scene, the DG J&K YSS advised them to give their best and bring laurels for themselves, their parents, coaches, mentors and the Union Territory as well.

She advised the athletes to leave no stone unturned in blossoming at the national scene and give a message to the society that sports and games serve as the best tool to empower the nation.

Organised by Jammu and Kashmir Swimming Association, the Flag Off Ceremony was held under the overall supervision of President J&K Swimming Association, Ramandeep Singh Soodan, General Secretary, Bharat Kumar Sharma; Joint Secretary Cum Coach Babita Rani and Treasurer Vikas Mahajan.

UNI VBH ARN