- Source: Kerala School Sports Meet
The Kerala School Sports Meet, previously known as Kerala State School Athletics and Games were inaugurated in 1956 by R. Sankar, the then Chief Minister of Kerala. This initiative was established to promote athletics and physical education among school students across the state.
Each year, over 40 sporting events are held, culminating in the announcement of state champions for each event, along with district and school champions. Participants are awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals, celebrating their achievements and fostering a spirit of competition and excellence.
Background
Kerala State School Athletic Games is an initiative launched by the Kerala Government aimed at promoting sports and physical education among school students across the state of Kerala. The program seeks to foster a sports culture by encouraging active participation in various athletic events, thereby identifying and nurturing young talent. With a structure that categorizes participants by age groups and includes a diverse range of competitions—from athletics to team sports—the Olympics serves as a platform for schools to compete at local and state levels. Collaborating with the Kerala State Sports Council and the Department of General Education, the initiative not only focuses on enhancing physical fitness but also emphasizes the values of teamwork and discipline, contributing to the holistic development of students.
= School Olympics
=The Kerala Education Department launched the inaugural "School Olympics" in 2024, an event that aims to revolutionize school sports in the state. Scheduled to take place in Kochi from November 4 to 11, this historic sports meet will feature students from across Kerala competing in 39 diverse sports, including athletics, team sports, and inclusive sports designed for differently-abled athletes. This initiative marks a first of its kind in India, emphasizing the importance of sports in the educational landscape. The winning district will be awarded a 3-kilogram gold trophy, named in honour of the Chief Minister, although logistical challenges may delay its presentation until next year. The opening ceremony at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Kochi) promises to be a vibrant celebration, incorporating cultural performances inspired by the Olympic spirit. Competitions will be held at 19 different venues throughout Kochi, with the inclusion of students from Kerala schools in the Gulf states for the first time. This revamped event signifies a significant evolution from the traditional focus on athletics in school sports meets, as the Public Education Department has meticulously planned a torch relay featuring international athletes, a grand march-past, a theme song, and a sports-cultural festival. The new School Olympics aims to become a landmark event in Kerala's education system, promoting the integration of sports with academics and the arts, thereby fostering a holistic approach to student development.
Students from the Gulf region will also participate in the Kerala State School Olympics in Kochi. The Director of Public Education issued a circular inviting non-resident students to take part in the event. This marks the first time that students from Gulf countries have been invited to a state government-sponsored sports event. The team from the United Arab Emirates will compete as the 15th district in the games, adding international dimension to the competition.
However, on 22 October 2024, the Education Department decided to remove the term 'Olympics' from the title of the school sports festival. This decision stems from regulations that prohibit the use of the word 'Olympics' without authorization from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Initially, the government had named the event a major sports festival, but upon realizing that 'Olympics' is a registered trademark protected under the Olympic Charter, they retracted the name. Thus, the event will now officially be called the "Kerala School Sports Meet". All future promotional materials and official documents related to the event will reflect this updated name. Moving forward, it will be referred to as the "Kerala School Kayika Mela in Olympic Model Kochi-24", aligning with the revised branding while maintaining the essence of a large-scale sports festival.
= Sport events
=As of 2023, the following sports events are held annually:
Medal Table
The following medal table is based on performances in Aquatics and Athletics events, with data and medal tallies recorded from 2011 onward. No competitions were held in 2020 and 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
= Athletic Events
=District-wise Medal Tally
The following table displays the total number of medals earned by each district in athletic events.
District-Wise Annual Champions (Athletic)
= Aquatic Events
=District-wise Medal Tally
The following table displays the total number of medals earned by each district in aquatic events. Due to the unavailability of data for the events held in 2012 and 2018, those years have been excluded from the following information.
District-Wise Annual Champions (Aquatic)
References
External links
Official website
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Kerala School Sports Meet
- 2024 Kerala School Sports Meet
- Pala, Kerala
- Kerala
- Government Model Boys Higher Secondary School
- P. T. Usha
- Kochi
- K. P. Thomas
- Trivandrum International School
- Labour India Gurukulam Public School
