Sports News

Panchkula, Haryana: Bhavan Vidyalaya, Panchkula, celebrates its 13th Biennial Sports Day was celebrated with great zeal and sporting spirit at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium on Friday, marking another milestone in the school’s calendar of activities. The event brought together students, parents, faculty and special guests for a day full of athletic displays and recognition of sporting excellence. The programme commenced with the unfurling of the national flag, followed by a spirited march-past by student contingents to the rhythmic beats of the school band. The ceremony was presided over by Sibananda Mishra, Deputy Director of the Sports Authority of India, as chief guest, along with Deepak Kumar Singh, Deputy Director of Sports at Chandigarh University, who was the guest of honour. Both guests praised the high level of coordination, discipline and energy shown by the students. In his address, the chief guest commended the school’s strong sporting culture and emphasised the importance of physical fitness and teamwork among young learners. After formally declaring the sports meet open, a wide range of athletic events kicked off, drawing enthusiastic participation from students across age groups. Special cash prizes were awarded to students who had excelled at the national and international levels, and trophies were presented in various categories, including: The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Sunita Saxena, Head of the Sports Department, who expressed gratitude to the chief guests, principal, staff, parents and students for their participation and support throughout the celebrations. The biennial sports day not only showcased athletic talent but also reinforced the values of sportsmanship, discipline and camaraderie among students — hallmarks of Bhavan Vidyalaya’s educational philosophy.

Panchkula, Haryana: The much-anticipated Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 — India’s first international javelin throw competition named after Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra — will no longer be held in Panchkula. Organisers have confirmed that the inaugural edition of the event has been shifted to Bengaluru, drawing reactions from local sports fans and athletics enthusiasts. Originally scheduled to take place on May 24, 2025 at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula — the same venue where Chopra trained early in his career — the event was moved following concerns raised by World Athletics regarding infrastructure and technical requirements, particularly stadium lighting that did not meet minimum broadcast standards. The competition will now be hosted at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, a venue equipped to meet the specifications needed for a World Athletics Category A event. Top javelin throwers from around the world are expected to participate, making the event a major highlight in India’s track-and-field calendar. Despite the change in location, Neeraj Chopra remains committed to making the Classic an annual fixture in the international athletics circuit. In media interactions, he said he was excited about the high-profile lineup and is hopeful that the competition will help popularise athletics in India and inspire future generations. While supporters in Panchkula expressed disappointment that the event will not be held in Chopra’s home region, many are still proud of its status as a national-level competition and are following preparations closely ahead of its Bengaluru debut.