Kanpur, 26 December 2024: The 29th Inter-IIT Staff Sports Meet concluded today at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) with a closing ceremony celebrating the spirit of sportsmanship and unity. The meet, which began on December 19, saw exceptional athletic performances by participants from across the IITs, showcasing their talent, determination, and camaraderie.

The Chief Guest for the event was Shri Satyarup Siddhanta, a globally renowned mountaineer, whose presence added inspiration to the ceremony. The closing event was further graced by Prof. Braj Bhushan, Deputy Director; Prof. Pratik Sen, Dean of Student Affairs, IITK; Prof. Aditya Kelkar, Co-convener of the Inter-IIT Sports Meet; Prof. Gopakumar, Games Counsellor; Prof. Syam Nair; and Prof. Debopam Das from IIT Kanpur.

During the closing ceremony, Shri Satyarup Siddhanta said, “It is incredible to witness such a gathering of staff from all IITs, united by the spirit of sportsmanship and adventure. Sports are not just about winning, but about participation, teamwork, and camaraderie, which strengthens bonds and creates cherished memories. My journey from struggling with asthma to breaking records proves that no dream is impossible if pursued with perseverance. It doesn’t matter whether you win first, second, or third; what matters is the spirit of participation and collaboration. Dream big, chase those dreams relentlessly, and remember, every mountain—literal or professional—can be conquered with determination.”

In the General Championship (Men’s Category), IIT Kanpur claimed first place, followed by IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi. The General Championship (Women’s Category) was won by IIT Kanpur, with IIT Bombay and IIT Kharagpur finishing second and third. In the Overall Championship, IIT Kanpur was the winner, marking a stellar performance across various sports.

The 29th Inter IIT Staff Meet saw spectacular performances in the athletics segment. In the men’s category, Shanu Chopra from IIT Roorkee emerged as the fastest man in the 100m race, while Saksham Saraswat from IIT Delhi secured first place in the 200m, 400m, and 800m races. Sachin Kumar Sen from IIT Madras claimed victories in the 1500m and 5000m events. Alok Singh from IIT Palakkad dominated the throwing events, earning gold in the shot put, discus throw, and hammer throw. IIT Kanpur's relay team, comprising Rajdeep, Akhlesh Mishra, Ram Kripal, and Pradeep Yadav, won the 4x100m relay. Scariya K.C. from IIT Madras clinched first place in the 100m race for men above 55 years.

In the athletics events, the men's long jump saw Probash Das from IIT Kharagpur clinch the top spot, while Anurag Singh from IIT Bhilai clinched the men’s high jump.

In the women’s category, Sangita Mondal from IIT Kharagpur stood out, securing first positions in the 100m, 200m, and long jump events and leading IIT Kharagpur to victory in the 4x100m relay. Anjali Dubey from IIT Kanpur excelled in the discus throw and javelin events, earning first and second positions, respectively.

IIT Kanpur emerged as the winner in men’s athletics, with IIT Delhi and IIT Madras taking the first and second runner-up positions, respectively. In the women’s athletics category, IIT Kharagpur claimed the championship, followed by IIT Kanpur as the first runner-up and IIT Hyderabad as the second runner-up.

The titles of Best Male Athlete were shared by Alok Singh from IIT Palakkad and Saksham Saraswat from IIT Delhi, both securing three gold medals. Sangita Mondal from IIT Kharagpur, who dominated multiple events, was named the Best Female Athlete.

The throwing events showcased remarkable talent. Alok Singh from IIT Palakkad earned gold in the shot put, discus, and hammer throw in the men’s category, while Purva Kherkar from IIT Hyderabad excelled in the women’s shot put and javelin throw.

In Badminton (Men), IIT Bombay triumphed, with IIT Kharagpur and IIT Delhi securing second and third positions, and Shailendra Sania from IIT Bombay being honored as the Best Player. In the Women’s Badminton event, IIT Kanpur claimed first place, with IIT Mandi and IIT Bombay finishing second and third, and Khushi Rai from IIT Mandi being named Best Player. Basketball saw IIT Mandi win the Men’s event, with IIT Kanpur and IIT Guwahati finishing second and third, while Utsav Thakur from IIT Mandi was recognized as the Best Player.

In Tennis (Men), IIT Kharagpur secured first place, followed by IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi in second and third positions, with Ashish Yadav from IIT Roorkee receiving the Best Player accolade. Table Tennis (Men) saw IIT Roorkee take first place, with IIT Kharagpur and IIT Hyderabad finishing second and third, and Hitesh Sharma from IIT Kharagpur being named Best Player. In Women’s Table Tennis, IIT Bombay claimed first place, with IIT Delhi and IIT BHU securing second and third positions, where Nandita Madhavan from IIT Bombay received the Best Player award. In Squash, IIT Delhi topped the podium, followed by IIT Kanpur and IIT Kharagpur in second and third places, with Ishan Sharma from IIT Kanpur being named the Best Player.

In Chess, B Pajunewal from IIT Madras won the DAP category, with Chandra Prakash from IIT Kanpur and Harish Nameneni from IIT Hyderabad taking second and third positions. In the Non-DAP Chess category, Dharmesh Sharma from IIT Jodhpur finished in first place, with Sadanan Pukhan from IIT Guwahati and Sonal from IIT Roorkee taking second and third.

In Volleyball, IIT Hyderabad secured first place, with IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur finishing second and third, and Anil Kumar from IIT Hyderabad receiving the Best Player accolade. The Cricket competition was won by IIT Roorkee, with IIT Gandhinagar and IIT Madras finishing as first and second runners-up, and Sahil Sardana from IIT Roorkee being named Best Player. In Football, IIT Kanpur emerged as the winner, with IIT Dhanbad and IIT Guwahati finishing second and third, and Hari Babu Prajapati from IIT Kanpur being named Best Player.

The ceremony concluded with the lowering of the flag, marking the end of the event and the handing over of the flag to the next host, IIT Hyderabad. The Convenor delivered the vote of thanks, and the event concluded with the national anthem.

About IIT Kanpur:

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, established in 1959, holds the distinction of being recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. Renowned for its excellence in science and engineering education, IIT Kanpur has made significant contributions to research and development over the decades. Its expansive, lush green campus spans 1,050 acres and hosts a rich array of academic and research resources. The institute comprises 19 departments, 26 centers, three interdisciplinary programs, and two specialized schools across engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines. With over 590 full-time faculty members and more than 9,500 students, IIT Kanpur continues to be a leader in fostering innovation and academic rigor.

For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in.