ISSO Hosts Thrilling National Table Tennis and Under-19 Boys Cricket Championships
Exciting Championships at Adani International School
The International Schools Sports Organisation (ISSO) successfully organized the National Table Tennis and Under-19 Boys Cricket Championships at Adani International School in Ahmedabad. This event attracted over 400 table tennis players and 15 cricket teams from various schools across India, showcasing remarkable talent and spirited competition, as highlighted in an ISSO press release.
Inspiring Opening Ceremony
The championships commenced with an inspiring ceremony featuring Bhavinaben Patel, a renowned Paralympic silver medalist in table tennis. Known as Bhavina Ben, she made history by winning a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, becoming the first Indian to achieve this in table tennis. Her journey of resilience and excellence served as a motivational force for the young athletes.
Winners of the National Table Tennis Championship
Held from October 8 to 11, the National Table Tennis Championship included competitions for boys and girls across Under-14, Under-17, and Under-19 categories, featuring both individual and team events. The results are as follows:
| Category | Winners |
|---|---|
| Under-14 Boys Team | CHIREC International School, Hyderabad |
| Under-17 Boys Team | Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai |
| Under-19 Boys Team | DPS International School, Gurugram |
| Under-14 Girls Team | Inventure Academy, Bengaluru |
| Under-17 Girls Team | Heritage Xperiential Learning School, Gurugram |
| Under-19 Girls Team | Pathways School, Noida |
In individual events, notable performances included Ishaan Goyal from Jayshree Periwal Global School winning gold in the U14 Boys category, while Aarna Sahney, also from the same school, took the title in the U14 Girls category. Other individual winners included Aman George Thomas (U17 Boys) and Ishana Babu (U17 Girls), along with Nimay Gogia (U19 Boys) and Mahi Kejriwal (U19 Girls).
Under-19 Boys Cricket Championship Highlights
The Under-19 Boys Cricket Championship saw 15 teams vying for the title. Inventure Academy, Bengaluru, emerged victorious, with Indus International School, Hyderabad, finishing as runners-up, and Saint MSG Glorious International School taking third place.
Encouraging Future Athletes
The championships concluded with Shri Kunal, Joint Secretary (Sports Development) from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, presenting medals and awards to the national merit holders. He emphasized the potential of these young athletes to become future Olympians, encouraging them to maintain their commitment to sports, highlighting that discipline and perseverance are key to success.
Gaurav Dixit, Founding Director of ISSO, remarked on the organization's efforts over the past 11 years to create a structured sports ecosystem in schools, which has led to increased participation and confidence among schools in their vision. Aakanksha Thapak, Director of ISSO, expressed gratitude to Bhavina Ben and Shri Kunal for their inspiration and acknowledged Adani International School for their support and facilities.
ISSO also thanked Adani International School for hosting the championships, which underscored the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and sporting organizations in nurturing young talent.