Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Jalandhar, July 16 Dedicated to the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, the Sports Department is going to organise the sub-division level ‘national style’ kabaddi tournaments here from July 18 to 20 and ironically, the department doesn’t have its own kabaddi coach in the district despite the fact that kabaddi has been closely associated with the state. These tournaments will be held in the categories of U-14, U-18 and U-25 (boys and girls). As per information, department officials have written to the authorities concerned about the requirement of the coach for long. It has been around three years since the district lacks a kabaddi coach and any kabaddi championship or tournament has not been organised since then. Regarding the tournament, the officials said in the absence of a departmental coach, help of community coaches or those from kabaddi associations will be taken. On July 18, the tournaments will commence at the Sports Complex, Malsian, on July 19-20 these will be held at Government High School, Patara; Government High School, Sarai Khas; Arya School, Nakodar; and DAV Public School Senior Secondary School, Phillaur. Players have been requested to bring all related documents during the tournaments and duties of coaches have also been fixed for the successful completion of the events. District Sports Officer Balwinder Singh said the matches would be played in the five sub-divisions of the district.No lifeguards at swimming pool The Sports Department would also organise Under-14 and Under-18 swimming tournaments for girls and boys next month to commemorate the 550th Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev. But in the name of staff, there is only a coach but no lifeguards. Two lifeguards are required at the pool, along with a chowkidar and a safai sewak. “We have asked the head office to provide us with the staff and we are hopeful that we will get the coach and lifeguards soon,” said the District Sports Officer.

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