Jodhpur: Jaipur district recorded a strong performance by securing both boys’ and girls’ team titles at the 45th Rajasthan Sub-Junior (Under-17) State Shootingball Championship, which concluded in Jodhpur, officials from the organising committee said. The results reflected Jaipur’s dominance in the state-level youth competition, which brought together teams from multiple districts across Rajasthan.
The championship was held at Veena Bharti Senior Secondary School in Sursagar, Jodhpur, under the supervision of the Rajasthan Shootingball Association. The event featured participation from districts including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Kota, and others, with matches conducted in a structured league-cum-knockout format. Organisers said the tournament was aimed at promoting shootingball at the school level and identifying players for higher competitive platforms.
Jaipur’s boys’ team delivered a consistent performance throughout the tournament, advancing through the group stages without major setbacks. In the final, the team maintained control in key phases of the match to secure the championship title. Similarly, the Jaipur girls’ team also displayed steady form across the tournament, winning crucial knockout matches before clinching the final to complete a double victory for the district.
Officials associated with the tournament said that several matches in both categories were closely contested, particularly in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, where margins remained narrow. However, Jaipur teams were able to maintain composure in critical moments, which helped them secure victories in the final stages of the competition.
According to organisers, the championship is part of the state federation’s annual programme designed to develop grassroots talent in shootingball. The Shootingball Federation of India, which governs the sport nationally, conducts competitions at sub-junior, junior, and senior levels to ensure structured talent development. State-level tournaments such as this one serve as qualifiers and scouting platforms for national events.
Shootingball is a team sport that combines elements of volleyball-style gameplay with coordinated throwing and catching techniques. It requires agility, timing, and teamwork, and is increasingly being introduced in school sports programmes across Rajasthan and other states. Officials said the sport has seen gradual growth in participation at the school level over the past few years.
The organisers noted that Jaipur’s success in both categories highlights the role of school-level training programmes and district sports initiatives in developing competitive athletes. They said structured coaching, regular practice sessions, and participation in inter-school tournaments have contributed to improved performance levels among young players.
During the closing ceremony, organisers and officials from the state association appreciated the participation of all districts and encouraged continued involvement in future events. They also emphasised the importance of expanding sports infrastructure and training facilities at the school level to further strengthen grassroots sports development.
The federation said selected players from the championship will be considered for upcoming state camps and potential selection for national-level sub-junior competitions. Performance at the state championship is a key criterion for inclusion in advanced training programmes and inter-state tournaments.
In recent years, Rajasthan has increased its focus on school and youth sports competitions across multiple disciplines, including athletics, team sports, and emerging games like shootingball. Officials believe such tournaments help identify talent from both urban and rural regions while encouraging wider participation in organised sports.
With the conclusion of the championship, Jaipur’s double title win is expected to strengthen its representation in upcoming state and national-level shootingball events. The final list of selected players will be forwarded to the state federation for further evaluation and training camp inclusion, organisers said.
