The 4th National Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) Sports Meet 2025 concluded with grandeur and patriotic fervour today at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium, Rourkela, coinciding with the nationwide celebration of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. The event paid tribute to the valour and sacrifice of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and celebrated the rich legacy of India’s tribal freedom movement.

The Sports Meet was hosted by the Odisha Model Tribal Education Society (OMTES) under the ST & SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Odisha, and organised by the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.

Dignitaries Present

The closing ceremony was graced by the presence of:

• Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha (Chief Guest)
• Shri Jual Oram, Hon’ble Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Government of India (Guest of Honour)
• Shri Ajeet Kumar Srivastava, IRAS, Commissioner, NESTS
• Shri B. Parameswaran, IAS, Secretary, ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department, Odisha
• Dr. Subhankar Mohapatra, IAS, Collector & District Magistrate, Sundargarh
• Ms. Dutee Chand, International Sprinter
• Hon’ble MLAs from the Sundargarh region and other public representatives

Shri Ajeet Kumar Srivastava, Commissioner NESTS, welcomed the dignitaries and presented a detailed report on the Sports Meet, commending the outstanding performances of EMRS students from across the country and highlighting the growing sports culture in tribal communities.

RESULTS SUMMARY

Overall Sports Champion

Rank	State	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total	Points
1	Telangana	88	66	76	230	714
2	Chhattisgarh	55	43	64	162	468
3	Madhya Pradesh	40	49	62	151	409

Top 3 – Individual Events

Rank	State	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total	Points
1	Telangana	82	65	74	221	679
2	Chhattisgarh	54	43	62	159	461
3	Madhya Pradesh	40	47	61	148	402

Top 3 – Team Events

Rank	State	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total	Points
1	Telangana	6	1	2	9	35
2	Odisha	2	5	1	8	26
3	Andhra Pradesh	1	2	2	5	13

With 230 medals and 714 points, Telangana secured the Overall Championship, demonstrating outstanding performance across both individual and team events.

Advancing PM Modi’s Vision for Sports & Tribal Empowerment

The EMRS Sports Meet reflects the commitment towards Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for:

• Khelo India – “Play, Progress, Prosper”
• Identifying and nurturing sports talent in rural and tribal regions
• Empowering EMRS students to excel at national and international platforms
• Promoting fitness, leadership, teamwork and holistic development
• Strengthening the role of sports in Viksit Bharat and tribal upliftment

Through NESTS and EMRS institutions, pathways are being built to elevate grassroots tribal sports talent to national excellence.

Cultural & Ceremonial Highlights

The closing ceremony showcased:

• Formal reception of dignitaries by EMRS students
• Traditional lamp lighting, Vande Mataram, and wave march
• Cultural presentations including Odissi and Dhemsa dance
• Distribution of medals and trophies to winning contingents
• Fireworks display
• Extinguishing of the ceremonial torch and lowering of the EMRS flag, led by the Chief Guest and Ms. Dutee Chand

The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Subhankar Mohapatra, Collector & DM, Sundargarh, acknowledging the support of all participating states, officials, coaches, and students.

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RN/

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