Major National-Level Sports Championships Kick Off for Young Athletes in Mumbai

Exciting Sports Championships Begin in Mumbai

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 19: The Dhirubhai Ambani International School (DAIS) and Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School (NMAJS) are set to host the prestigious International Schools Sports Organisation (ISSO) Football, Judo, and Taekwondo Championships from September 18 to October 1, 2026. This event will gather over 1,000 student-athletes from 145 international schools across 31 cities, marking one of the largest school sports events in India.

These championships offer a vital platform for young competitors to showcase their skills at a national level, while also serving as a selection route for those aiming to represent ISSO in the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) competitions and the International School Sport Federation (ISF) championships, as stated in a press release from the Reliance Foundation.

The ISSO Under-14 Girls Football Championship will see 16 schools vying for the national title. Meanwhile, the Judo Championships have attracted 210 participants from 17 schools, competing across four age categories ranging from Under-11 to Under-19.

In addition, the Taekwondo Championships have drawn 590 athletes from 87 schools, who will compete in both Poomsae and Kyorugi events across the Under-11 to Under-19 divisions.

DAIS and NMAJS have maintained a strong partnership with ISSO for over ten years, significantly contributing to the advancement of competitive school sports in India. DAIS has consistently ranked among the top schools in the ISSO medal standings, with its athletes achieving success at SGFI and ISF championships while representing ISSO India.

Cawas Billimoria, an Olympian and Head of Sports Coaching at DAIS, as well as President of the Organising Committee, reflected on the impressive growth of the championships. He noted that participation in the ISSO Judo and Taekwondo Championships has surged from single digits in the early years to thousands today, showcasing the rapid development of school sports in the nation.

Abhimanyu Basu, Dean of DAIS and NMAJS and a member of ISSO's Advisory Panel, has played a crucial role in the organisation's growth journey. His ongoing support for ISSO's vision has been instrumental in enhancing competitive opportunities and creating pathways for young athletes to advance to national and international levels.

The International Schools Sports Organisation (ISSO) serves as a premier national platform uniting international schools across India through well-structured competitions in various sports and age categories. Affiliated with the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) and recognised by the International School Sport Federation (ISF), ISSO is dedicated to nurturing young sporting talent while fostering teamwork, leadership, friendship, and fair play.