The inaugural phase of the Indian Education Board’s first-ever National Sports Competition concluded in Haridwar, with Patanjali Gurukulam Haridwar emerging as the standout performer after securing double gold in the Under-17 wrestling categories.
More than 50 state teams competed in the wrestling-led opening leg, marking a powerful start to India’s new nationwide school sports initiative. The high-energy event saw widespread participation and enthusiasm, as students, teachers, and sports fans filled the stands.
Notably, Swami Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, key leaders of the Patanjali Education institutions, attended the closing ceremony, congratulating athletes and praising their performance.
Patanjali Gurukulam Haridwar claimed gold medals in both the U17 freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling events, while Gurukul Kishangarh Ghasera (Haryana) earned silver in both categories.
Athletes from Acharyakulam and GSS International School Agra also delivered strong performances, while over 150 local students attended as spectators, adding to the celebratory atmosphere of India’s first national-level interschool competition.
Addressing the ceremony, Acharya Balkrishna, General Secretary of Patanjali Yogpeeth, expressed admiration for the participants:
“Seeing the enthusiasm of these young people, it seems that in the future these children will make India proud not only in the country but also at the global level. Through sports, they will become physically and mentally strong.”
He emphasised that such events play a crucial role in building discipline and teamwork among youth.
Swami Ramdev also shared plans for a new indoor stadium at Acharyakulam, aimed at hosting both national and international school competitions, saying,
“Our goal is to ensure equal opportunities for both rural and urban youth.”
Organisers confirmed that this first phase in Haridwar will be followed by further stages in Agra, Lucknow, and Jaipur, expanding the competition’s scope across India. Additional sporting disciplines will be introduced in later rounds to encourage wider student participation.
The inaugural leg’s success highlights India’s growing focus on integrating sports within education using school competitions as a powerful tool for nation-building and youth development.
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