“All glories come from the daring to just begin” – SHAURYA ’23 at IIT Kharagpur

A Glimpse from the Table Tennis Tournament in Full Swing

One of the biggest sports tournament of the country ‘Shaurya ’23, themed ‘Shadow Warrior,’ recently concluded at IIT Kharagpur, leaving behind a trail of excitement, innovation, and intense competition. The festival which was entirely managed by students; held within the iconic IIT Kharagpur campus, has undoubtedly set a new standard for excellence. This edition of Shaurya went above and beyond, featuring a diverse range of competitions catering to both male and female participants.

The events showcased a wide array of sports, including cricket, volleyball, basketball, hockey, athletics, badminton, football, lawn tennis, table tennis, chess, and powerlifting. Prior to the main festivities, Shaurya also hosted engaging pre-event activities like the Shaurya Cube Open, National Sports Quiz, Knuckle Pushups Challenge, Skipathon, Dutch Grand Prix Live Stream, Asia Cup India Vs Pak Live Stream, and the Shaurya Yoga Quest Challenge.

A Glimpse from the Hockey Tournament

IIT Kharagpur’s exceptional infrastructure and sports facilities, including their state-of-the-art Student Activity Centre with its multiple courts and fields, provided an ideal setting for the diverse competitions. The festival, boasting over 15 titular sports events, transcended beyond the realm of sports, incorporating guest lectures, recreational activities, and non-sporting events such as marathons and F1 simulations. The event aspired to be the pinnacle of sports for both our present and future generations.

In a dazzling display of sportsmanship and talent, the Shaurya Sports Fest 2023 at IIT Kharagpur concluded with thrilling victories and unforgettable moments. The campus was alive with the spirit of competition as participants from various institutes showcased their prowess in a variety of sports. Let’s delve into the highlights of some of the most riveting events that left a lasting impression on spectators.

A Glimpse from the Basketball Tournament

Shaurya Table Tennis Tournament Finals: A Battle to Remember

The finals of the Shaurya Table Tennis Tournament set the stage for a captivating showdown between IIT Kharagpur’s A team and that of St. Xavier’s. The match was a rollercoaster of high-stakes rallies and intense action, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats. The game remained neck-and-neck until the last set. But in the end, it was St. Xavier’s that emerged victorious, claiming the title in a dramatic fashion that will be etched in the memories of all who witnessed it.

Shaurya Powerlifting Championship: Vivek Singh Nainwal Dominates

The 2023 Shaurya Powerlifting Championship concluded with a display of unparalleled strength and determination. Participants showcased exceptional performances, but it was Vivek Singh Nainwal from IIT Kharagpur who stole the spotlight. His remarkable feats in the competition earned him the title of the ‘Best Lifter’, leaving a powerful mark on the championship and inspiring all present.

A Glimpse from the Spring Tournament

Lawn Tennis Excellence: Mayank Joshi Crowned ‘Best Player’

In the realm of Lawn Tennis, Mayank Joshi from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur emerged as the shining star. His exceptional skill, consistency, and unwavering determination throughout the tournament culminated in a well-deserved victory, earning him the prestigious title of the ‘Best Player’. Mayank’s performance showcased the true essence of sportsmanship and dedication.

Chess Tournament: A Battle of Minds in the Yoga Room

The Chess Tournament, hosted in the Yoga Room within the Technology Students’ Gymkhana, proved to be a cerebral spectacle. It was a platform that highlighted the competitive spirit and strategic prowess of the participating teams. The event underscored the importance of fostering intellectual pursuits and healthy competition within the academic community.

Shaurya Volleyball Tournament: A Celebration of Sportsmanship and Skill

The 2023 Shaurya Volleyball Tournament was a testament to the spirit of sportsmanship, featuring remarkable performances and unforgettable moments that will be cherished for years to come. The tournament recognised and honoured the ‘Best Players’ in the form of Shadik from Sarala Birla University and Mythri T G from IIT Kharagpur, acknowledging their outstanding contributions to the competition. Congratulations to all participants, winners, and teams for their dedication and commitment.

Shaurya Cricket Tournament: Soumya Basak Shines as the Player of the Tournament

The 2023 Shaurya Cricket Tournament echoed with the sounds of cricketing brilliance and camaraderie, honouring Soumya Basak from St. Xavier’s as the ‘Player of the Tournament’. Soumya’s exceptional performances left an indelible mark on the tournament, showcasing not only individual skill but also a true passion for the game. Congratulations to all participants, winners, and teams for their dedication and spirited play.

A Glimpse of the Marathon Event

Shaurya Football Tournament: Nitin Rohit Emerges as the Player of the Tournament

The 2023 Shaurya Football Tournament unfolded as a saga of skill, teamwork, and pure passion for the beautiful game. The tournament honoured Nitin Rohit from IIT Kharagpur A as the ‘Player of the Tournament’, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the team’s success. Congratulations to all participants, winners, and teams for their dedication and outstanding performances on the football field.

In conclusion, the Shaurya Sports Fest 2023 at IIT Kharagpur was a resounding success, celebrating not just physical prowess but also the intellectual and strategic acumen of its participants. As the campus echoed with the cheers and memories of this spectacular event, it’s clear that Shaurya has once again proven to be a stage for champions to shine – a sporting extravaganza to remember!

Media Partner : Telegraph 

Inputs by : Prajay and Ushasri Gunpuru, Students, IIT Kharagpur 

Edited By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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IITKGP’s Happiness Boost for Sports

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IIT Kharagpur signed an MoU with Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy (PGBA), Hyderabad to promote health and wellbeing within the scope of academics and extra-academic activities. A delegation from IIT Kharagpur led by Director Prof. P P Chakrabarti met the Padma Bhushan awardee and Chief National Coach for the Indian Badminton team, Shri Pullela Gopichand at Delhi on March 30 in this regard. The collaboration is spearheaded by Mr S S Rekhi, US-based entrepreneur and alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, who seed-funded the Rekhi Centre for Science of Happiness at IIT Kharagpur and his company R Systems is the sponsor of Gopichand Badminton Academy.

The thrust areas of the collaboration include developing training programs by IIT Kharagpur focusing on happiness and wellbeing for enhancing the quality of performance and resilience. Players and coaches from PGBA will benefit from these programs. Further, the coaches will also be trained on how to use that knowledge while training players. Similar training programs and advisory modules will also be developed for the students and coaches of IITKGP in the field of sports in general and badminton in particular.

Deliberations were made regarding setting up a Sports Academy at IIT Kharagpur in collaboration with PGBA. “The Academy would promote collaborative research related to happiness in sports in general and badminton particular and science and technology in sports training. The scope would also include joint monitoring and use of materials used in general and badminton in particular by IIT Kharagpur and Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy” said Prof. Chakrabarti.

“I am very excited about this collaboration and look forward to the contribution of the Rekhi centre towards the wellbeing of my players and coaches. I am also very happy to know of a Sports Academy that is coming up at IIT Kharagpur and look forward to contributing to its development,” said P Gopichand.

“Our vision is to promote the science and practice of positivity for fostering meaningful life, happiness, well-being and holistic self-development. Today we have a lot more options for entertainment and engagement but these do not seem to have improved or rather worsened the mental health. Sports has proven evidence of improving resilience, concentration, tolerance and emotional quotient through training and discipline thus delivering happy generations to lead the world. In the corporate sector or any other field a trained and disciplined mind would always find more acceptance and appreciations,” said Mr Rekhi,

At IIT Kharagpur the program will be coordinated under the Rekhi Centre for Science of Happiness. “The Centre is developing a training program for the players and coaches to be scheduled in June 2019,” confirmed Prof. Priyadarshi Patnaik, Head of the Centre. The program will be led by renowned field experts and faculty of IIT Kharagpur such as Prof. M K Mandal, who was also the former Chief Controller (Life Sciences) at DRDO and Dr Saamdu Chetri, who instituted the Gross National Happiness Centre Bhutan.

“The Centre will organize talks and workshops by Mr Gopichand and coaches from his academy to promote sports and train students at IIT Kharagpur,” further added Prof. Patnaik.

IIT Kharagpur has been making sincere efforts to promote health and wellbeing through sports. While the alumni of the Institute have facilitated visits by foreign coaches, allocations were made to the extent of ₹10 crore to develop modern sports facilities.

“Our state-of-the-art athletics arena with a world-class synthetic track is now the best such facility in the IIT System and among the top few in the State. Such initiatives in the domain of sports and games are going a long way in the all-round development of the students of IIT KGP. You can already see the effect with our students winning prizes in State Championships,” added Prof. Chakrabarti.