Rawalkot: The Jamia Poonch Stadium in Rawalkot officially kicked off its sports activities with an inaugural cricket match between the university’s administration and academic staff. The match, marked by enthusiastic participation from both university staff and the local community, concluded with the administration team securing a victory, led by a standout performance from Khaliq Khan.
According to University of Poonch Rawalakot, the ceremony saw the presence of notable university officials including the registrar, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Abdul Rauf Khan, who inaugurated the event. The sports complex, recently completed under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Dr. Muhammad Zakaria Zakir, was previously considered an unfeasible project. The ceremony was also attended by Director Finance Adnan Javed, Director Sports Muhammad Younis Khan, Audit Officer Shahnawaz Khan, and was celebrated with a small yet vibrant local community gathering. Dr. Abdul Rauf highlighted the significance of the stadium not just for the university but for the entire Azad Kashmir community, stating that the sports facility will serve students and athletes across the region.
The match itself was a spirited contest. The administration team, opting to bat first after winning the toss, initially struggled but regained momentum thanks to Mohammad Khaliq Khan’s strategic play, which earned him the top scorer title with 40 runs. On the academics side, Dr. Faraz Khan was noted for his all-round performance. The event was not only a celebration of the new stadium but also a demonstration of community and university spirit. Vice Chancellor Dr. Zakaria Zakir is expected to conduct the official stadium inauguration soon.