Budgam, October 9: The grand finale of the Etihad Cup Sonpah 2026 was held at the DIET Beerwah playground on Friday, witnessing enthusiastic participation from local youth, cricket enthusiasts and sports lovers. In the final match, Royal Wings Gondipora defeated FC Sechhil to lift the championship trophy.
The tournament was organised by Shuail Hussain Mir and Hafiz Ali with the primary objective of promoting sports among young people, identifying local cricket talent and providing aspiring cricketers with a platform to showcase their abilities.
Both teams displayed commendable performances in the final, but Royal Wings Gondipora emerged victorious and secured the title. The winning team and its supporters celebrated the achievement with great enthusiasm.
Manjeet Singh Gill, an educationist associated with PM SHRI Boys Higher Secondary School Humhama, Budgam, attended the event as the chief guest. Rauf Ahmad, Advocate Tariq Ahmad, Syed Waseem and Bashir Ahmad were among the other prominent personalities present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Manjeet Singh Gill described the final of the Etihad Cup as a symbol of the hard work, hopes, aspirations and bright future of the youth. He congratulated all the participating teams and appreciated the organisers for their efforts, stating that such initiatives play an important role in promoting grassroots sports and nurturing young talent.
He expressed confidence that if young people in Beerwah and its adjoining areas are provided with adequate opportunities, encouragement and better sporting facilities, they can demonstrate their abilities not only at the Kashmir level but also on the national stage.
However, Gill expressed concern over the lack of adequate sports infrastructure in the area, stating that the absence of proper playgrounds and essential facilities discourages aspiring players. He also pointed out that unsuitable playing surfaces can create safety concerns for athletes.
Gill made a fervent appeal to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to visit Beerwah and interact with local youth to understand their talent, aspirations and challenges firsthand. He urged the administration to take special measures to develop playgrounds, provide modern sporting facilities and strengthen sports infrastructure in Beerwah and its adjoining areas.
He emphasised that sports play a vital role in instilling discipline, teamwork, self-confidence and positive thinking among young people. Cricket tournaments and similar activities provide youth with constructive opportunities to channel their energy into productive pursuits.
Referring to the ongoing campaign against drug abuse, Gill said that encouraging young people to participate in sports could help keep them away from drugs and other harmful activities. He stressed that better sporting opportunities can provide the younger generation with a healthy, positive and constructive direction in life.
Gill also appreciated tournament organisers Shuail Hussain Mir and Hafiz Ali for their efforts and expressed hope that they would continue organising such competitions in the future, enabling local youth to improve their skills and gain further opportunities to excel.
On the occasion, Rauf Ahmad, Syed Waseem, Bashir Ahmad and other speakers also highlighted the importance of sports in personality development, promoting a sporting culture and protecting young people from drug abuse. They appreciated the organisers’ efforts and encouraged the participating players.
During the event, the winning team, Royal Wings Gondipora, the runners-up and other participating players were appreciated for their performances. The contributions of media representatives and individuals supporting the promotion of sports were also acknowledged. The services of Inayat Hussain, a representative of Sports Bulletin, along with other media personnel, were recognised on the occasion.
Concluding his address, Manjeet Singh Gill said that the Etihad Cup final was not merely the conclusion of a tournament but also an important step towards creating new opportunities, achieving success and building a brighter sporting future for the youth of Beerwah.
He urged the administration, educators, sports organisers and members of the public to work together to nurture local talent, strengthen sports infrastructure and ensure better opportunities for the younger generation.
The Etihad Cup Sonpah 2026 highlighted the growing interest in cricket among local youth while underlining the importance of collective efforts to promote sports, encourage discipline and build a brighter future for the younger generation.
