A Cradle for Future Olympians: State School Sports Meet Opens Grandly in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: The capital city is set to witness seven days of sporting spectacle as the 67th State School Sports Meet began with grandeur at the University Stadium. Finance Minister K N Balagopal formally inaugurated the event.

Speaking at the ceremony, the minister said that the state government continues to advance comprehensive initiatives for the development of sports. This is the second time the Kerala School Sports Meet is being conducted in the Olympic model, and notably, the first such effort in India.

This year’s edition brings together around 20,000 school athletes, including 2,000 differently -abled children, and 35 students from the Gulf region. Balagopal expressed hope that the spirit of camaraderie and sporting enthusiasm emerging from the event would greatly benefit the state.

Differently-abled students lead the Games torch relay

General Education Minister V Sivankutty presided over the function. He described the event, which involves over 20,000 athletes, officials, and teachers, not merely as a competition but as a grand cultural festival celebrating Sports Kerala. The minister termed the 67th edition a historic leap forward. Competitions will be held in 41 disciplines across 12 venues, where young athletes are set to script new records of speed and strength.

Highlighting the government’s inclusive approach, Sivankutty noted that the meet provides a platform for children with special needs to showcase their abilities. For the first time, ‘Bocce’ for girls and ‘Cricket’ for boys have been included under inclusive sports categories. The traditional martial art, Kalaripayattu, has also been introduced in the general category. With students from Kerala syllabus schools in the UAE participating this year, the reach of the meet has extended beyond borders.

“The meet is a cradle for tomorrow’s Olympians,” Sivankutty said, urging students to compete with sportsmanship, foster friendships, and learn mutual respect.

Minister V Sivankutty with students from the Gulf region prior to the 67th State School Sports Meet

Food and Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil conveyed his best wishes to the participants, appreciating the excellent organisation of the event which, he said, shapes the sporting future of Kerala.

The district securing the highest points will receive the Chief Minister’s Gold Cup, weighing 117.5 sovereigns.

Kerala’s beloved cricketer Sanju Samson serves as the brand ambassador, while national award-winning actor Keerthy Suresh is the goodwill ambassador of the meet. Another highlight is the theme song, written, composed, and sung entirely by students from government schools.

Former football star I M Vijayan and Asian Games bronze medallist H M Karunapriya jointly lit the Games torch. Following that, Indian junior basketball player Adheena Mariam took the sports pledge. The opening parade featured contingents from various districts, including SPC, NCC cadets, Scouts and Guides, and inclusive sports participants. Messages from Sanju Samson and Keerthy Suresh were displayed during the ceremony, which concluded with vibrant cultural performances by students.

MLAs Antony Raju, Kadakampally Surendran, V Joy, G Stephen, C K Hareendran, I B Satheesh, and M Vincent; District Panchayat President D Suresh Kumar; District Collector Anu Kumari; General Education Department Secretary Dr. K Vasuki; Director N S K Umesh; Samagra Shiksha Kerala State Project Director A R Supriya; SCERT Director R K Jayaprakash; and former athletes K M Beenamol, Padmini Thomas, and K C Lekha attended the ceremony.