Baramulla, July 2026: The month-long Varmul Gindo 3.0, the largest sporting festival of Baramulla district, concluded on a grand note. The event was organised by the Indian Army’s Dagger Division in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council, the District Youth Services & Sports Department, and the Baramulla Sports Association.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), Dagger Division, graced the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest, while MLA Baramulla Javid Hassan Beigh attended as the Guest of Honour.
Held under the theme “Messenger of Peace,” the sports festival witnessed the participation of nearly 3,000 athletes, including both boys and girls, from all major tehsils of Baramulla district. More than 20 sporting disciplines were conducted across 15 indoor and outdoor venues throughout the district.
The competitions featured football, tennis-ball cricket, rugby, hockey, volleyball, handball, kabaddi, basketball, kho-kho, along with individual events such as karate, wushu, chess, table tennis and snooker. Throughout the tournament, participants displayed exceptional talent, discipline and sportsmanship, while several matches attracted large crowds and provided thrilling contests.
One of the major achievements of Varmul Gindo 3.0 was the identification of promising sporting talent from across the district. Outstanding performers have been shortlisted for future UT-level coaching camps, talent hunt programmes and competitive events in football, rugby, wushu, karate, volleyball, hockey, athletics and other disciplines, providing them with opportunities to compete at higher levels.
Addressing the gathering during the closing ceremony, the GOC, Dagger Division congratulated all participants and emphasised that such sporting initiatives provide youth with a positive platform, while promoting peace, brotherhood, healthy competition and national integration.
The organisers expressed gratitude to all participating teams, sports associations, educational institutions, the civil administration, volunteers, spectators and the people of Baramulla for their wholehearted support in making the event a grand success.
With its successful conclusion, Varmul Gindo 3.0 has further strengthened the spirit of unity, youth empowerment and sports culture in Baramulla. The festival reinforced the district’s growing sporting identity while advancing the message of “Messenger of Peace” through the power of sports.