The Telangana–North East Sports Festival Concludes with Great Enthusiasm
The Telangana-North East Connect initiative, organized with the aim of fostering a friendly exchange of literary, cultural, and sports traditions between Telangana and the North Eastern states, concluded successfully.
As part of this initiative, the Sports Festival was conducted in Telangana with grandeur and vibrant participation.
For this purpose, the Sports Authority of Telangana successfully made arrangements to bring Arjuna, Dronacharya, and Khel Ratna awardees from eight North Eastern states to the city on Wednesday, the 19th.
On Thursday, the 20th, several Sports Clinics were conducted at the Gachibowli Stadium by many of these Arjuna and Dronacharya awardees.
They provided specialized training in various disciplines to aspiring sportspersons and coaches of Telangana.
Special seminars on sports administration were also conducted for sports officials and coaches from Telangana and various North Eastern states.
On Friday, the 21st, Governor Jishnu Dev Varma inaugurated the badminton competitions held at the Gopichand Academy.
Matches between Telangana and North East teams were held in both boys’ and girls’ categories. The Governor highlighted that the strong rural sporting traditions of both Telangana and the North Eastern states reflect the cultural closeness between the regions.
The event was attended by Sports Authority of Telangana Chairman Shiv Sena Reddy, State Sports Advisors A.P. Jitender Reddy, Vice Chairman & Managing Director Dr. Soni Baladevi, officials, and badminton players.
Later, a meeting of North East–Telangana sports entrepreneurs and sports journalists was held at the Gachibowli Stadium.
Special coaching clinics were conducted in football, gymnastics, sepak takraw, table tennis, and other disciplines by Arjuna and Dronacharya awardees from the North East. They imparted key sporting insights to young athletes from Telangana.
In the football competitions held at the Gachibowli Main Stadium, Telangana’s women’s team defeated the North East team 2–0, while in the men’s category, the North East team defeated Telangana 2–0.
Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia and Sports Authority Chairman Shiv Sena Reddy, MD Dr. Sonibala Devi was inaugurated the matches.
The winners were felicitated by Mizoram Sports Minister Lalling Lova HMAR, Advisor,Sports govt of Telangana, A.P. Jitender Reddy, Sports Authority MD Dr. sonibala Devi, and Arjuna and Dronacharya awardees from the North East.
Cultural Programmes & Food Stalls Add Colour to the Event
The cultural performances organized during the football match at Gachibowli Stadium captivated students, youngsters, and sports enthusiasts.
Food stalls featuring Telangana cuisine as well as special dishes from the North Eastern states were arranged.
Spirit of the Games – Connecting Telangana and the North East
As part of the Telangana–North East Connect Sports Festival, a distinguished panel discussion on the theme “Spirit of the Games – Connecting Telangana and the North East” was held on Saturday, the 22nd at HITEX.
Prominent sportspersons, officials, and representatives of sports associations from Telangana and the North East participated.
Telangana’s Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan IAS, briefed the gathering on initiatives undertaken by the state government for the development of sports in Telangana.
Mizoram’s Minister for Youth Services & Sports, Lallinglova Hmar, speaking on “Mizoram – Future Sports Powerhouse,” elaborated on the opportunities to bring sporting talent from the North East onto the national stage.
Badminton star Pullela Gopichand spoke about his academy’s management and talent development methods.
Padma Shri awardee and football icon Bhaichung Bhutia emphasized the importance of sports associations and public participation.
Padma Shri awardee and Manipur weightlifting star Mirabai Chanu highlighted the challenges faced by women in sports and suggested ways to overcome them.
Arjuna awardee and boxer L. Saritha Devi explained the crucial role of coaches in shaping athletes.
Tripura’s Arjuna awardee Mantu Debnath spoke about the importance of academies in nurturing gymnasts.
Senior Sports journalist Indhraneel Das discussed the social changes brought about by sports in the North Eastern states.
Manipur veteran journalist Pradip Phanjoubam moderated the session.
Speakers stressed the vast opportunities for collaboration in the sports sector between Telangana and the North Eastern states and highlighted the need for coordinated efforts by governments, sports associations, and communities.
Sports Authority of Telangana Managing Director Dr. sonibala Devi delivered the vote of thanks.
Several Arjuna and Dronacharya awardees, sports federation members, coaches, and officials from Telangana and the North East participated.
MoUs Signed for Sports Development in Telangana
To enhance sports development in Telangana, the Sports Authority of Telangana signed MoUs with various sports associations from other states.
An MoU for mutual sports development was signed with the Mizoram government.
Another MoU was signed with Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia for conducting special training classes in the Telangana Sports School Academy.
Tripura Arjuna awardee Debnath signed an MoU for special training in gymnastics.
Manipur’s Arjuna awardee L. Saritha Devi signed an MoU for boxing training.
The Manipur Judo Association signed an MoU with the Sports Authority of Telangana for the development of judo.
These MoUs were signed in the presence of Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, and are expected to significantly benefit the training of Telangana’s sportspersons and coaches.
Experts believe that these agreements will serve as milestones in the advancement of sports in Telangana.
The three-day sports festival concluded on a grand note.
Sports representatives from the North Eastern states expressed gratitude to the Sports Authority of Telangana.
Sports lovers in Telangana have expressed great appreciation for this initiative.
