Mandi roars with excitement as kabaddi, shooting championship begins

The inaugural Inter-College Men’s and Women’s Kabaddi and Shooting Championship, organised by Sardar Patel University, began at Vallabh Government College, Mandi on Thursday. The three-day event, scheduled from September 25 to 27, 2025, was officially inaugurated by Zila Parishad member Champa Thakur. Addressing the athletes and spectators, Thakur emphasised the importance of discipline, dedication and true sportsmanship in the field of sports. Reflecting on her own journey as a student and sportsperson at Vallabh College, she encouraged young athletes to pursue excellence while upholding the spirit of the game.

The college principal, Dr Sanjeev Kumar, welcomed the chief guest and presented a memento in her honour. Speaking at the event, Dr Kumar highlighted that sports are a powerful tool for the holistic development of individuals, fostering discipline, confidence and life values. He added that sports not only strengthen physical and mental fitness but also contribute to social and national integration. He extended his best wishes to all participating athletes for a successful and bright future.

According to the media coordinator and president of the Shooting Championship, Flying Officer Dr Chaman, a total of 252 men and women athletes from various colleges across Mandi, Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts are participating in this championship. The event features 30 teams in total, with five men’s and six women’s teams in the shooting category and 11 men’s and eight women’s teams in the Kabaddi category. Specifically, Kabaddi features 108 men and 80 women players, while the shooting competitions include 22 men and 23 women participants.

The Kabaddi matches are being held on the college campus, while the shooting competition is being conducted at the Lakhanpal Academy, Bheuli. For the first time, Sardar Patel University is organising an inter-college championship in both Kabaddi and Shooting, marking a significant milestone in its promotion of sports and youth engagement.

The opening day witnessed thrilling Kabaddi matches. In the first match, Government College, Basa, dominated Government College, Dharampur, with a commanding 36-9 victory. In the second match, MLSM Government College, Sundernagar, defeated NCE Pandoh 54-14. Vallabh Government College, Mandi, impressed with a spectacular 73-11 win over Government College, Haripur, Manali, solidifying their position in the tournament.