The meet featured record-breaking performances and tight competitions across all categories. A total of 17 new records in athletics and 17 in aquatics were set, making this edition the one with the most records ever broken. The event hosted nearly 9,000 competitions across close to 40 events in 12 venues.
Despite rain delays and venue changes, the event proceeded as scheduled. Hosts Thiruvananthapuram held their lead from the very first day until the end, winning the overall title and the Golden Cup.
New events like Kalaripayattu, Yoga, and Fencing were introduced, seeing good participation. Inclusive events were held for the second time, and two new events, Cricket and Bocce, were introduced for children with disabilities. Notably, female students from Gulf countries also participated, with the ’15th district’ earning one silver medal and three points overall.
Key Highlights and Records:
Overall Champions: T’Puram (1,825 points).
Athletics Lead: Malappuram (247 points).
Aquatics Lead: T’Puram (649 points).
Games Lead: T’Puram (1,107 points).
Record Breakers:
Deva Priya Shaibu (Idukki) broke a 1987 record in sub-junior girls’ 100m (12.69 seconds).
Athul T M (Alappuzha) smashed a 1988 record in junior boys’ 100m (10.81 seconds).
Devananda V Biju (Kozhikode) broke an eight-year-old record in junior girls’ 200m (24.96 seconds) while recovering from appendicitis.
Emotional Moment: General Education Minister V Sivankutty announced that a new house would be built for Devananda’s family and that the government would facilitate building new houses for 50 participants in total.
For the first time in the event’s history, a grand victory procession was held to welcome the Chief Minister’s Cup, a 117.5-sovereign gold trophy for the overall champions. The meet concluded with the promise of a brighter sporting future, despite ongoing controversies regarding the age eligibility of a participant in certain categories. ( with input from TNIE)
For more details: Navamalayalam.com
