SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad March 18: IIT Indian Institute of Mines (ISM) Dhanbad, has organised the three-day mega sports festival, Prakram, after a gap of seven years. The sports fest has attracted the participation of over 1000 technocrats from 25 eastern Indian technical universities.
The festival was inaugurated by Prof. Rajiv Shekhar, director of IIT ISM. Prof. Shekhar said, “Though it is said that games and sports should be played with a sporting spirit, I would like to add that it should also be played with a spirit to win”.
International athlete Swapna Barman and former Olympian Harbhan Singh were honoured as chief guests at the event by IIT ISM. The Arjuna Awardee, Swapna Barman, while admiring the set-up of IIT ISM said, “IITs are well known for their focus on higher education and research. But I am delighted to see here the enthusiasm among the students about the games.”
IIT ISM (Jharkhand) defeated the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST) in Shibpur, West Bengal. The score was 2-1 in the football match. In another match between Asansol Engineering College and NIT Rourkela, Odisha, the teams ended in a draw (1-1).
Vikash Kumar Mahto of BIT Sindri won the 5000-metre race. He left his rivals Ravi Tripathi of IIT Kharagpur and Abhishek Kumar of Asansol Engineering College in second and third position respectively.
Prakhar Pratap Mall won gold in the men’s shot put event leaving Sachin Kumar of IIT ISM Dhanbad and Keshay of IIT Kharagpur in 2nd and 3rd position respectively.
While speaking to the participants, the deputy director Prof. Dhiraj Kumar said that a successful organization will clear the way for hosting the inter-IIT sports meet in IIT ISM, Dhanbad again in the near future. The organizers shared that the three-day mega festival will feature a total of 16 sports, followed by cultural events.
