NE SPORTS/EDUCATION BUREAU
THANJAVUR, JAN 1
Mangalore University lifts championship in the South Zone Inter-University Kho Kho Tournament for Men 2024-2025. The tournament was hosted by the Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN). The valedictory ceremony was held on Tuesday.
After five days of electrifying competition, Mangalore University, Karnataka, emerged victorious, securing the first position. Devanagere University, Karnataka, claimed the second spot, followed by Bharathiar University from Tamil Nadu in third place, and the University of Kerala in fourth. These four stellar teams have now earned the opportunity to showcase their talents at the Inter-University National Kho Kho Tournament.
The tournament was organized by the Department of Physical Education and Sports, the prestigious tournament was conducted from 27 December to 31 December 2024, transforming the university campus into a vibrant hub of sporting excellence.
The tournament witnessed participation from 72 teams hailing from Southern Indian states, bringing together 1,044 skilled players who competed fiercely for the top honours. Matches were conducted across four outdoor and two indoor Kho Kho courts, ensuring seamless gameplay even amidst intermittent rains.
The valedictory event was graced by the Chief Guest, Dr. D. Manikandan, District Collector of Karaikal, who praised the participants for their unwavering spirit and determination. Prof. M. Krishnan, Vice Chancellor of CUTN, presided over the ceremony, commending the university’s commitment to fostering sportsmanship and holistic development. Joining him were Prof. R. Thirumurugan, Registrar, and Dr. R. Parameshwaran, Librarian, who shared their reflections on the significance of sports in academia.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. M. Krishnan remarked, “Not only do we aim to provide higher education, but also to foster mental strength and holistic development. I congratulate the Department of Physical Education and Sports for successfully organizing South Zone Inter University for both the men’s and women’s Kho Kho tournaments. Higher education and the development of our society should always be our primary focus. Our culture and traditions must be upheld, and practices like yoga should be regularly integrated into our lives. This year, CUTN has also introduced Silambam as a credit course, further emphasizing our commitment to blending academics with physical and cultural enrichment.”
The tournament was organized under the guidance of Dr. S. Jayaraman, Head of the Department of Physical Education and Sports. He was supported by his dedicated team of faculty members, including Dr Y. Nagaraja, Dr K. Vishnuvardhan Reddy, Dr S. Binthu Mathavan, and Dr S. Akila.
