University of Jammu hosts first-ever Night T-20 Cricket Match under newly inaugurated high-mast lights

Jammu, September 22: The University of Jammu added a new chapter to its sporting history by organising its first-ever Night Exhibition T-20 Cricket Match between Employees XI and Scholars XI at the University Cricket Ground here on Tuesday, following the inauguration of the newly installed high-mast lighting facilities.

The match, organised by the Directorate of Sports and Physical Education (DSPE), University of Jammu, commenced at 6 pm and marked a significant milestone in the University's efforts to strengthen sports infrastructure and promote a vibrant sporting culture on the campus.

Earlier, the high-mast lighting facilities at the Cricket Ground were inaugurated by Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and Chancellor, University of Jammu, in the gracious presence of Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, and other senior officials of the University.

The exhibition match was organised as a gesture of gratitude and appreciation towards the Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir UT Sh. Manoj Sinha ji and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir for providing the important sports infrastructure, which has opened new avenues for organising cricket and other sporting activities beyond regular daytime hours.

The University of Jammu has achieved a significant distinction with its lush green cricket ground equipped with modern lighting facilities, making it the only institution in Jammu and Kashmir to have such a facility. 

The facility will enable day-night matches and extended training hours, while creating greater opportunities for students, scholars, employees and budding sportspersons. It also strengthens the potential of the ground to host inter-university, national-level and other major cricketing events.

Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, expressed happiness over the successful organisation of the historic sporting event and congratulated Dr. Daud Iqbal Baba, Director, Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, and the entire staff of the Directorate for their tireless and dedicated efforts towards promoting sports and strengthening a vibrant sporting culture on the University campus.

Prof. Rai said that the creation of quality sports infrastructure must ultimately translate into opportunities for young people to discover, nurture and showcase their talent. He said universities have a responsibility to provide an ecosystem where academic excellence goes hand in hand with physical fitness, discipline, teamwork and sporting excellence.

He said the newly commissioned lighting facility would extend the utility of the Cricket Ground beyond conventional daytime hours and provide greater flexibility for training and competitive events. “Infrastructure acquires its real meaning when it creates opportunities. Our endeavour is to ensure that these facilities become platforms where young talent can train, compete and aspire to excel at the highest levels,” Prof. Rai said.

He further emphasised that the University would make full use of upgraded Cricket Ground for larger sporting engagements, including inter-university and national-level events, while also providing budding players from the region an opportunity to benefit from quality sporting infrastructure.

Before the commencement of the match, Prof. Rai interacted with the players of Employees XI and Scholars XI and encouraged them to play with enthusiasm, true sportsmanship and a spirit of healthy competition. He also interacted with the budding players of the Cricket Academy and extended his blessings and best wishes to them.

The match witnessed enthusiastic participation and a strong spirit of camaraderie among employees and scholars, reflecting the University's continued emphasis on sports, physical fitness, teamwork and a healthy campus environment.

Prominent among those present on the occasion were Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies, Prof. Sangita Gupta, Dean Planning and Development, Prof. Parkash C. Anthal, Dean Students Welfare, Prof. Verinder Koundal, Director, DSRS, Prof. Parmil Kumar, Dept of Statistics, Dr. Guneet Singh Sudan, Director, Centre for IT Enabled Services,  Dr. Rahilla Parveen, Chief Accounts Officer, Dr. Rashid Manhas, Deputy Proctor, Dr. Pritam Singh, Capt. S. R Dubey,  Mr. Irfan Goni besides other distinguished faculty members, officerks, officials, scholars and sports enthusiasts of the University.