Bigger Than the Olympics? Kerala’s School Sports Meet is Raising the Bar!

There are 24,000 young athletes participating in 39 sporting events at 17 locations as part of Kerala's Department of General Education in the Ernakulam district. The Kerala School Sports Meet is made even more unique by the Inclusive Sports category, which aims to integrate children with special needs into the general population. The involvement of students from eight different schools in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is another feature of the sporting event.Heavy Feel of The Event Up Ahead~ Source: Google imagesEveryone is in awe of people working behind the scenes for organizing and running such a huge event, which, if one looks at the magnitude, is even bigger than the Olympics. "Just look at the magnitude," a General Education department official said. But with the assistance of the department's massive workers, everything had been meticulously planned and arranged, he continues.In an interview with The New Indian Express, General Education Minister V Sivankutty emphasized that "this event has truly transformed the landscape of school sports in our state." The steadfast dedication to diversity is what really sets this year's Olympic model sports meet apart. We have set a strong example for the rest of the globe by planning this event as if it were a little Olympics. We have demonstrated that every child deserves the chance to participate and succeed, regardless of their abilities.He adds, "The Department of General Education has worked tirelessly to ensure that no child is left behind. We've provided the necessary resources, training, and support to nurture young talent. The sight of children with diverse abilities, competing in a meet, fills my heart with hope."Selecting the last 24,000 pupils out of a total of 6 lakh ~Source: Google imagesAccording to the official, "If you look at the student strength, our general education department is huge," explaining how the 24,000 participants were lined up. There are 47 lakh pupils enrolled in the department's schools. The initial aim in preparing for the Kerala School Sports Meet was to host sub-district sporting events. "Approximately six lakh students participated in the sub-district competitions. There were almost 1.6 lakh winners from these competitions. Following that, these winners participated in the revenue district meets, which were conducted in each of the state's 14 districts. According to the official, 24,000 champions from various competitions are currently participating at the Kerala School Sports Meet in Ernakulam.The Vision is Enormous~ Source: Google imagesThe fact that all 39 events are being held in six categories—U-14, 17, and 19 for both genders—is another aspect of the meet. Approximately 10,500 participants compete in two divisions at the Olympics, which are regarded as the largest athletic event in the world. There are just 33 events there. Here, though, things are different. It's enormous! At every level, we are holding over 10,000 competitions. But we needed a plan since we wanted all the kids to be involved," he says. It appeared to be a difficult task for the General Education Department.Following talks with the district's MPs and MLAs, the department established 15 subcommittees, each of which included the mayor and the president of the district panchayat. Additionally, an organizing committee was established, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan serving as its patron. It should be mentioned that although the state government has contributed money to the sports meet, sponsorship has given the majority of the funding. "We have individuals and companies coming forward to sponsor various things needed for the conduct of the meet," he continues. Through this sporting event, the state government hopes to achieve its goal of fostering a culture of athletics.Eyes On Passionate Future Players ~ Source: Google imagesThis Kerala Model Sports Meet is expected to continue annually, according to officials. "We have created a Kerala Model in school sports too and if this model is followed in the coming years, we can say that after five years, sports will become a part of our children's lives and they will shine not only at the national level but also on the international stage," he continues. The minister declares that the state government is dedicated to make the Kerala School Sports Meet an even bigger success, reaffirming the goal of helping Kerala shine in the sports industry as well. “The state government will keep funding inclusive policies, training initiatives, and sporting facilities. By working together, we can provide our kids a better future.”Kerala's School Sports Meet sets a new standard in inclusivity and scale, inspiring a future where every child can compete and thrive on the world stage.