Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan launched the comprehensive Kaayika Keralam
development package aimed at the 2036 Olympics during the 68th Kerala School Sports Meet in Kozhikode. Thousands of student athletes competed across ten venues in the week-long state championship, which drew prominent Indian sporting stars to the synthetic tracks.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan officially inaugurated the mega event at the Kozhikode Corporation Stadium. The competition brought together 2,800 track and field athletes and nearly 2,000 inclusive sports competitors, across ten different venues in Kozhikode. A colorful march-past featured around 4,000 athletes, followed by a torch relay where Indian Olympic Association President P.T. Usha handed over the flame to the Chief Minister and Education Minister.
Satheesan Launches Kaayika Keralam Package For 2036 Olympics
Unveiling the broad administrative initiative during the opening ceremony, Chief Minister Satheesan announced the Kaayika Keralam
framework with an eye toward long-term participation in the 2036 Olympic Games. Organizers framed the gathering around the anti-drug message Say No to Drugs
, emphasizing that expanding sports infrastructure serves to shield the youth from substance abuse. Planned improvements under the package include building an international football stadium in Kozhikode to boost athletic momentum in the Malabar region, streamlining travel allowance distributions for traveling competitors, and appointing additional physical education teachers in schools. The state coordinated the transit of 26 student athletes traveling directly from Kerala-syllabus schools across the United Arab Emirates to compete in the championship.
Atul T.M. Breaks 15-Year-Old Meet Record on NIT Track
Athletic competition at the NIT floodlit stadium produced notable record-breaking performances. Atul T.M. from Charamangalam Government DVHS School in Alappuzha secured the senior boys’ 100-meter sprint in 10.63 seconds, breaking a 15-year-old meet record set in 2011 by Jijin Vijayan. Rituparna of VMHS Vadavannur in Palakkad claimed gold in the senior girls’ 100 meters with a time of 12.43 seconds. Anamika Ajesh of Charamangalam DVHS broke an eight-year-old record in the senior girls’ 100-meter hurdles by clocking 13.69 seconds, eclipsing the 2018 mark held by Aparna Roy.
| Event Category | Athlete | School / District | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Boys 100m | Atul T.M. | Charamangalam DVHS, Alappuzha | 10.63 seconds (Meet Record) |
| Senior Girls 100m | Rituparna | VMHS Vadavannur, Palakkad | 12.43 seconds |
| Senior Girls 100m Hurdles | Anamika Ajesh | Charamangalam DVHS, Alappuzha | 13.69 seconds (Meet Record) |
Indian Sports Icons Visit the Kozhikode Meet
World Athletics Championships medalist Anju Bobby George, Olympic medalist and hockey goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, Asian Games gold medalist Joseph J. Abraham, middle-distance champion Jinson Johnson, P.U. Chitra, Kunhumuhammed, and V.K. Vismaya gathered at the NIT track to greet the student athletes.
Malappuram maintained the lead in the district athletics standings with 133.3 points, capturing 13 gold, 19 silver, and 12 bronze medals. Palakkad followed in second place with 105.5 points, while Thiruvananthapuram stood third with 77.3 points. Thiruvananthapuram GV Raja Sports School led the sports school category with 71.3 points, whereas Ideal Higher Secondary School Kadakassery held the top position in the general school division.
