The state’s largest sports carnival under Khelo India scheme for under-17 boys began at block level under rural sports competitions in nine blocks of district Samba today. Secretary Sports Council Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra said aim of the competition is to improve the pool of sportspersons at the grassroots level. As many as 2800 players from nine blocks of Samba district are participating in the competition.He said the block level competitions would be held in five sports disciplines including Kabbadi, Volleyball, Wrestling, boxing and Athletics.Officials informed that more than 350 players are participating in the competition at M V International School, from different villages of Block Vijaypur including 11 teams of Volleyball, 10 teams of Kabbadi, 43 players in Wrestling, 60 Players in Athletics and 35 Players in Boxing.“To identify and hone talent in rural Jammu and Kashmir, various competitions are scheduled to be held at Block, District and State level in the coming months and the selected teams will later participate in the National Level Sports Competition Games,” Parra informed, adding that Government is committed to promote sports activities and develop sports infrastructure in every nook and corner of the State.He further added that Khelo India competitions are being conducted not only to promote sports at grassroots level but also to help revive the sports culture in the state.He said it will provide a platform to the budding sports talent to compete at State level. Talent identification would also be done in the process for grooming them to achieve excellence at National and international levels.At Samba, Principal M.V. International School K.L. Dogra, inaugurated the competition along-with Mushtaq Ahmed, OSD to Secretary J&K State Sports Council.Officials including Rajan Sharma, Divisional Sports Officer, Satish Gupta, Director Competition Block Vijaypur, Inderpal Singh (Member of Committee Block Vijaypur), Vikas Magotra (Member of the Committee block Vijaypur) and other technical officials and supporting staff were also present on the occasion.