CSIR’s four-day sports event begins in Palampur

The inaugural function of the four-day 52nd Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Memorial Tournament (SSBMT) Outdoor Final was held at the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bio-resource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, with great enthusiasm. This national-level tournament for CSIR laboratories is organised under the aegis of the CSIR Sports Promotion Board.

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The chief guest of the inaugural programme, Dr Sanjeev Khosla, who is the president of the Sports Promotion Board and Director of CSIR-IMTECH in Chandigarh, provided insights on the activities of the board and inspired all teams to play with sportsmanship.

In his welcome address, Director CSIR-IHBT Dr Sudesh Kumar Yadav said that 16 CSIR laboratories — CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad; CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow; CSIR-CECRI, Karaikudi; CSIR-CEERI, Pilani; CSIR-CGCRI, Kolkata; CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad; CSIR-IIIM, Jammu; CSIR-IIP, Dehradun; CSIR-IMTECH, Chandigarh; CSIR-NAL, Bengaluru; CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow; CSIR-NCL, Pune; CSIR-NGRI, Telangana; CSIR-NIO, Goa; CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi; and CSIR-NPL, New Delhi — were participating in the tournament. He highlighted the growing importance of sports.

On the inaugural occasion, Major General KK Singh highlighted the importance of such events in building teams and discipline. He complimented the institute for the initiative and wished all the players a great time and bonding.

National kabaddi player Jyoti Thakur and Bhavana congratulated the CSIR-IHBT for organising this competition in Himachal Pradesh. Former national volleyball player Hem Singh Thakur also extended his best wishes to the organisation and the participants.

All the teams performed a synchronised march-past and took a sports pledge. The chief guest and other guests declared the games open.

The four-day SSBMT tournament will feature a total of 20 cricket and 20 volleyball league matches, followed by semi-finals and finals on February 9 and 10. Additionally, a women's cricket match will also be played.

Cultural evenings will also be organised featuring performances by renowned artists from the state as well as by the researchers of the institute.