SPU Hosts First-Ever Inter-Collegiate Kabaddi and Shooting Championship at Vallabh College, Mandi.
Shimla:
Sardar Patel University (SPU) is organizing the Inter-Collegiate Men’s and Women’s Shooting and Kabaddi Championship from September 25 to 27, 2025, at Vallabh Government College, Mandi.
The championship was inaugurated by District Council Member Champa Thakur. In her address, she emphasized the importance of playing with true sportsmanship, highlighting that discipline and hard work play a vital role in the field of sports. She also shared her experiences as a student-athlete during her college days at Vallabh Government College, Mandi. Thakur noted that shooting is emerging as a promising sport in Mandi and praised the college for excelling in academics, sports, NCC, and NSS under the leadership of Principal Dr. Sanjeev Kumar.
Principal Dr. Sanjeev Kumar presented a memento to the Chief Guest. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kumar stated, “Sports are a powerful medium for the holistic development of individuals. They cultivate discipline, self-confidence, and essential life values. Sports are an integral part of human life, fostering not only physical and mental strength but also reinforcing the spirit of social, economic, and national unity.” He extended his best wishes to all the participants for success and a bright future.
Dr. Chaman, Shooting Competition Chairman and Flying Officer, informed that a total of 30 teams comprising 252 men and women players from various institutions of Mandi, Kullu, and Lahaul-Spiti districts are participating in the SPU Inter-Collegiate Shooting and Kabaddi Championship. The men’s shooting competition has 5 teams, the women’s shooting 6 teams, while 11 men’s and 8 women’s teams are competing in Kabaddi.
Over 252 players from institutions including Vallabh Government College Mandi, Government College Jogindernagar, Government College Karsog, Government College Drang (Narla), Government College Sarkaghat, Government College Dharampur, Nobel B.Ed. College Pandoh, Jagriti College Devdhar, Sanskrit College Sundernagar, Government College Kullu, Government College Dehar, and Maharaja Lakshman Sen Memorial College Sundernagar are showcasing their talent.
Media Coordinator Dr. Chaman added that the Kabaddi competition features 11 men’s and 7 women’s teams, with around 233 players in total—108 men and 80 women in Kabaddi, and 22 men and 23 women in shooting events. The Shooting and Kabaddi Championship is being coordinated by Senior Professor Dr. Ravindra Kumar and Sports Secretary Dr. Sunil Sen. He informed that the shooting events are being hosted at Lakhanpal Academy, Bhuli, while the Kabaddi championship is being conducted at the college campus from September 25 to 27, 2025. This marks the first time that Sardar Patel University, Mandi, is hosting the Inter-Collegiate Kabaddi and Shooting Championship.
Nearly 100 shooters specializing in pistol and rifle categories from Government College Kullu, Government College Jogindernagar, Maharaja Lakshman Sen Memorial College Sundernagar, Government College Karsog, Government College Drang (Narla), Government College Basa, Government College Sarkaghat, and Vallabh Government College Mandi are participating in the shooting competition.
The Kabaddi championship opened with a thrilling match between Government College Basa and Government College Dharampur, where Basa registered a commanding victory. The men’s Kabaddi tournament witnessed exciting contests: in the first match, Government College Basa defeated Dharampur 36–9; in the second, MLSM Government College Sundernagar overpowered NCE Pandoh 54–14; and in the third, Vallabh Government College (VGC) Mandi delivered a stunning performance, defeating Government College Haripur, Manali, 73–11. These victories strengthened the positions of Basa, Sundernagar, and Mandi teams in the tournament.
The event was graced by Sports Coordinator Dr. Ravindra Kumar, Sports Secretary Dr. Sunil Sen, SPU Observer Assistant Professor Parvesh Sharma, national Kabaddi players Harsh Thakur and Molak Ram, Assistant Professors Lokesh Sharma, Jyoti Prakash, and Om Prakash, HCTA State President Dr. Banita Saklani, Flying Officer Dr. Chaman, Dr. Archana Sharma, Kabaddi Competition Chairman Dr. Nirmal Singh, Assistant Professor Bandana Kumari, Lakhanpal Academy owner Ajay Lakhanpal, coaches Balwinder Singh and Coach Dheeraj Sharma, Lieutenant Kamlesh Sen, contingent in-charges of participating colleges, athletes, and a large number of sports enthusiasts.
