National Sports Day Celebrations in Balrampur: National Sports Society Victorious in Hockey

Players Encouraged on National Sports Day; National Sports Society Wins Hockey in Balrampur

Balrampur, August 30, 2026 – To commemorate National Sports Day and the birth anniversary of hockey maestro Major Dhyan Chand, Balrampur hosted various competitions aimed at encouraging sports talent and raising awareness about sports and fitness among youth. The events, organized by the District Sports Office and Sports Stadium Balrampur, saw enthusiastic participation from athletes showcasing excellent sportsmanship.

Sadar MLA Paltu Ram graced the occasion as the chief guest. He boosted the morale of the players and honored the winners of the competitions. MLA Paltu Ram emphasized the vital role of sports in the physical and mental development of youth, highlighting its power in cultivating discipline, confidence, leadership, and team spirit.

“Sports are extremely important for the physical and mental development of youth. It is a powerful medium for developing qualities such as discipline, confidence, leadership skills, and team spirit,” stated MLA Paltu Ram. He urged the athletes to continue practicing with dedication and bring laurels to their district, state, and country.

National Sports Society Triumphs in Hockey Competition

An Under-14 boys' hockey competition was held as part of the National Sports Day celebrations, where players from various teams displayed their skills. The final match was played between Khelo India Centre, Balrampur and National Sports Society, Balrampur. In a thrilling encounter, National Sports Society, Balrampur defeated Khelo India Centre, Balrampur 2-0 to clinch the winner's trophy.

Concluding the competition, MLA Paltu Ram inspired the winners and participating players to keep moving forward with good sportsmanship. Alongside hockey, taekwondo and judo competitions were also organized, where boys and girls showcased their talent.

In taekwondo, Abhay Mishra defeated Manish Kumar in the boys' 59 kg category, while Sakshi Siddharth secured victory over Saniya Khan in the girls' 55 kg category. In judo, Nancy Upadhyay defeated Riya Upadhyay in the girls' 52 kg category, and Yashraj Jaiswal emerged as the winner in the boys' 55 kg category. The athletes demonstrated their abilities through intense competition.

'Fit India Cycling on Sunday' Event Held

In addition to sports activities, the 'Fit India Cycling on Sunday' program was also organized under the Khelo India banner. Approximately 60 boys and girls participated enthusiastically in the cycling event, which commenced at 7 AM. The primary objective of this program was to inspire children and youth to incorporate regular physical activities into their daily routines and adopt a healthy and active lifestyle.

The message of a healthy life was spread to the public through cycling. Furthermore, players from the football team that became champions in the Gorakhpur Zone were honored. Ten players from Balrampur District represented their team in a football competition organized by the District Youth Welfare Department and led their team to championship victory.

The outstanding players, including Saraj Gautam, Faizan Ansari, Pawan Yadav, Ayush Srivastava, Mohd. Zeeshan Ansari, Utkarsh Saini, Anadi Singh, Eklavya Pandey, Tushar Mishra, and Satyam Yadav, were felicitated with football shoes and socks provided by Shiv Shakti Enterprises, Baghpat. Their achievement was lauded, and they were encouraged for future performances.

Need for Promoting Sports Talent

Addressing the gathering, Sadar MLA Paltu Ram stated that there is no shortage of sports talent in the district. He emphasized the need for providing them with proper platforms, regular practice, and continuous encouragement. He urged the youth to make sports an integral part of their lives and hone their skills with dedication and discipline.

The various competitions held on National Sports Day provided an opportunity for emerging sports talents to showcase their abilities. The 'Fit India' message was widely disseminated, promoting a healthy lifestyle, sportsmanship, and physical activity. The successful organization of the competitions was supported by Deputy Sports Officer Anupama Dhanuk, Secretary of Hockey Association Balrampur Ms. Rashmi Singh, Nagendra Kumar Giri, Vijay Shankar Pandey, Abhay Singh, Hina Khatoon, Farog Alvi, Pawan Kumar, and the entire staff of the Sports Stadium.

District Sports Officer Abhishek Kumar stated that the primary goal of the competitions organized on National Sports Day was to encourage the district's sports talent, provide them with better opportunities, and further enhance the interest in sports and fitness among children and youth.