Rajinder Gupta and Phuljit Singh defeat Akshay Gupta and Vishal Garg 6-3 as players showcase competitive spirit during Major Dhyan Chand Sports Fortnight
PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
As part of the Major Dhyan Chand Sports Fortnight, being observed across the country from August 29 to September 14 to mark the birth anniversary of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand, Krida Bharati Yamunanagar organised a lawn tennis tournament for players in the 30-plus age category at the tennis courts of Gymkhana Club, Yamunanagar, on Sunday.
The tournament was organised as part of a series of sporting activities and competitions being conducted by Krida Bharati Yamunanagar during the fortnight. The initiative aimed to encourage people of different age groups to remain connected with sports and promote the message that regular physical activity can become an important part of a healthy and disciplined lifestyle.
Players participated in the tournament with considerable enthusiasm and displayed a strong spirit of competition throughout the event. The competition was organised in the doubles format, giving participants an opportunity to combine sporting skills with teamwork and coordination.
The tournament also carried a message of friendship and healthy living. By bringing together players from the 30-plus age group, the organisers sought to demonstrate that sporting participation is not restricted to children and young athletes. Adults can also remain active in competitive sports while maintaining physical fitness and social engagement.
The final match produced an entertaining contest, with the pair of Rajinder Gupta and Phuljit Singh putting up an impressive performance to defeat Akshay Gupta and Vishal Garg 6-3.
Both pairs displayed competitive tennis during the match, with players demonstrating effective serves, returns and court coverage. The contest remained engaging as both sides attempted to build pressure through their shots and movement around the court.
Rajinder Gupta and Phuljit Singh eventually secured the match with a 6-3 victory. After the game, the players congratulated one another and displayed the spirit of sportsmanship and mutual respect that the organisers sought to promote through the tournament.
The event was not only focused on the result but also on encouraging participants to remain physically active and connected with sport. The organisers said sporting events involving adults can play an important role in creating awareness about fitness and encouraging people to adopt healthier routines.
Speaking about the initiative, Sumeet Gupta, district president of Krida Bharati Yamunanagar, said Major Dhyan Chand had enhanced India’s prestige across the world through his extraordinary sporting ability. He said the legendary hockey player’s life and achievements should inspire people to look at sport as more than simply a means of competition.
Gupta said sports should become part of a healthy and disciplined lifestyle. He said the objective of organising different activities during the Major Dhyan Chand Sports Fortnight was to encourage more children, young people and citizens to connect with sporting activities.
He said the fortnight provided an opportunity to bring different sections of society closer to sports through a wide range of activities. Krida Bharati Yamunanagar, he added, was attempting to reach people through disciplines including boxing, hockey, fencing, wrestling, karate, yoga, volleyball, football and lawn tennis.
Gupta stressed that age should not become a barrier to participation in sports. The lawn tennis tournament for players above 30 years of age, he said, was a good example of how adults could remain actively involved in sporting activities.
He said regular participation in sports helps keep a person physically fit while also contributing to mental strength. Sporting activity can encourage discipline, concentration, consistency and the ability to deal with both success and setbacks.
The district president congratulated all the players who participated in the lawn tennis tournament and appreciated their enthusiasm and sportsmanship. He said Krida Bharati Yamunanagar would continue working to encourage sporting talent in the district, provide opportunities to new players and strengthen the sporting culture in the region.
The organisation’s broader programme during the Major Dhyan Chand Sports Fortnight is aimed at encouraging greater public participation in sports. The organisers said the objective was not limited to identifying competitive talent but also to making regular physical activity a part of everyday life.
The participation of the 30-plus players in the lawn tennis event demonstrated that sporting enthusiasm continues well beyond the school and college years. Such events can provide adults with opportunities to maintain fitness, interact with fellow sports enthusiasts and remain involved in organised sporting activities.
The tournament also highlighted the importance of doubles competition in developing teamwork. Players have to coordinate their movement, communicate effectively and respond quickly to changing situations on the court. These aspects add a social and collaborative dimension to the sporting experience.
The organisers said the spirit displayed by the participants was in keeping with the larger message associated with Major Dhyan Chand’s legacy. His contribution to Indian sport remains an inspiration for athletes and sports enthusiasts, and events held during the fortnight provide an opportunity to encourage people to participate actively in different sporting disciplines.
The tournament concluded on a positive note, with participants exchanging congratulations and appreciating one another’s performances. The emphasis on sportsmanship and camaraderie ensured that the event remained more than a competition for the players involved.
Several members of Krida Bharati and local sports circles were present during the tournament. Those attending included Krida Bharati district president Sumeet Gupta, executive members Sanjeev Nagra and Nitin Walia, tennis players Kamal Mohan, Abhishek Gakhar, Akshay Gupta, Phuljit Singh, Harpreet Singh (Shanty), Deepak Sondhi, Ashish Garg, Gaurav Oberoi, Harpreet Singh (Lucky), Dr Anupam Chopra, former DSO Rajinder Gupta, Dr Sandeep Kamboj, Aditya Chawla, Vishal Garg and Harvinder Singh, besides other sports enthusiasts and prominent members of the community.
The presence of sports enthusiasts and former sports officials further reflected the interest generated by the initiative. The organisers said continued participation from different sections of society would help build a stronger sporting culture in Yamunanagar.
The lawn tennis tournament therefore served two purposes: providing a competitive platform for 30-plus players and reinforcing the message that sport and fitness can remain an integral part of life at every age. The event formed part of Krida Bharati Yamunanagar’s wider efforts to use the Major Dhyan Chand Sports Fortnight to promote sporting participation across the district.
With several more sporting activities planned during the fortnight, the organisation aims to encourage people to move beyond passive interest in sport and become active participants. The organisers expressed confidence that such programmes would motivate more citizens to take up regular physical activities and inspire younger generations to appreciate the values of discipline, fitness, teamwork and sportsmanship.
The Yamunanagar lawn tennis tournament thus added another chapter to the district’s Major Dhyan Chand Sports Fortnight celebrations, bringing together experienced players and sports enthusiasts in an atmosphere of healthy competition, friendship and respect for sport.
POD/DESK
