Best ever Kerala school sports meet

It is curtains for the first Olympic-style state school sports festival held at eighteen venues in Ernakulam. Barring the unexpected protest at the closing ceremony, this year's organization was meticulous and was the best in the history of the Kerala School Sports Mela.

Not just athletics, other sports events were introduced and children deserving special attention were also brought to the forefront. The whole atmosphere was euphoric and exuded an air of grandeur. Thiruvananthapuram lifted the first Chief Minister's Trophy after dominating in-game events such as aquatics. With this, for the third time in a row, Thiruvananthapuram became the overall champions. Thrissur came second with 848 points while Malappuram grabbed a third spot (824 points), relying on their commanding athletics portfolio.

A glamorous appeal has always befallen Athletics in every school sports meet. However, this time, the stage was set for a historical coup. Ending the total dominance of Palakkad and Ernakulam, Malappuram emerged as winners in athletics for the first time. Ideal E.H.S. and Navamukunda H.S.S ensured Malappuram’s ascend to the top while former winners Palakkad had to find comfort with a second spot.

For a third consecutive time, Ideal E. H. S. S was crowned champions while protest followed after the second spot was handed over to GV Raja of Thiruvananthapuram. In athletics, as in previous years, the points status of normal schools and sports schools were given separately on the website. This led to an outcry as the school that was expecting the second spot was taken aback by the decision.

Amidst the protest, the education department said it was ill-suited to distinct sports schools and general schools in an event emulating the Olympics format. There would have been no protest if the education department had duly followed this from the beginning of the event.

Whatever the case, the education department, teachers' organizations, sports players, coaches and sports teachers deserve special appreciation for the meticulous organization of the event that witnessed the participation of more than 24000 students in 39 sports events. Education Minister V. Sivankutty was camping in Ernakulam for more than a week. The minister took the initiative to reach every venue and resolve any minor deficiencies. In the closing ceremony, the Chief Minister announced that he would like to continue the Olympic-style sports fair next year; a big boost for reviving the sports mentality among youths.