36 Under-17 boys’ and girls’ basketball teams from 27 states and 9 institutions participated; winners honoured by dignitaries
Published on: January 15, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
The closing ceremony of the 69th National School Games 2026, organised by the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) and hosted by the School Education Department, was held with enthusiasm and grandeur at Digvijay Stadium in Rajnandgaon.
The prestigious national-level tournament witnessed participation from 36 teams in the Under-17 boys’ and girls’ basketball categories, representing 27 states and 9 educational institutions. A total of 1,006 participants took part in the competition, including 429 boys, 402 girls and 175 coaches.
Addressing the gathering, District Panchayat President Mrs Kiran Vaishnav highlighted the importance of sports in life, stating that every phase of life is a form of competition. She emphasised that success is achieved only through continuous struggle and perseverance. Congratulating the winning teams, she encouraged those who could not secure victories to treat defeat as a learning opportunity and continue striving for excellence.
District Education Officer Pravas Singh Baghel, in his address, said that Rajnandgaon has earned a distinct identity as a city that nurtures sports and values, often referred to as ‘Sanskar Dhani’. He noted that the city has consistently encouraged athletes and expressed confidence that talented players from the region would go on to make the nation proud. He also highlighted Rajnandgaon’s recognition in hockey, cultural tableaux, literature and arts. He presented the official report of the competition and informed that sincere efforts were made to ensure proper accommodation and facilities for all players.
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On the occasion, the Khelo India Rath was flagged off to promote sports awareness. The cultural segment of the programme featured performances by students of Government Laxmibai Girls’ College, while children from Gayatri Vidyapeeth impressed the audience with yoga demonstrations, dance and karate performances.
During the ceremony, dignitaries felicitated and awarded the winning and runner-up teams of the competition. The event was attended by District Panchayat Vice-President Mrs Kiran Sahu, Janpad Panchayat President Mrs Pratima Chandrakar, Komal Singh Rajput, Ravindra Vaishnav, Santosh Agrawal, Ramesh Patel, Councillor Ravi Sinha, international hockey player Mr Mrinal Chaubey, along with other public representatives, officials, players and coaches.
The successful conclusion of the 69th National School Games marked Rajnandgaon’s strong organisational capability and reinforced its growing stature as a hub for national-level sports events.
