Badminton legends Saina Nehwal and Pullela Gopichand inaugurated the Inter IIT Sports Meet at IIT Hyderabad, marking an inspiring start to the prestigious event.
The 58th Inter IIT Sports Meet 2025 kicked off at IIT Hyderabad with a spectacular opening ceremony graced by badminton icons Pullela Gopichand and Saina Nehwal. The event brings together over 2,500 talented student athletes from 23 IITs, competing across various sports disciplines until December 21. The excitement will continue with the Inter-IIT Staff Sports Meet immediately after the student events.
Sangareddy: The 58th Inter IIT Sports Meet 2025, one of India’s biggest intercollegiate sporting events, kicked off at the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IITH) with a spectacular opening ceremony at the athletics ground. The event brought together spirited athletes from all 23 IITs across the nation, setting the stage for an exciting week of competition and camaraderie.
Hosted by IIT Hyderabad, the Inter IIT Sports Meet will feature over 2,500 student-athletes showcasing their skills across various sports disciplines from December 14 to 21. The excitement will continue with the 30th Inter IIT Staff Sports Meet from December 24 to 29, which will see nearly 2,000 staff members participating in a spirit of teamwork and healthy competition.
Chief National Badminton Coach Pullela Gopichand and Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal inaugurated the Inter IIT Sports Meet 2025 at IIT Hyderabad on Sunday evening. Sharing her thoughts at the ceremony, Saina Nehwal expressed her delight at witnessing the enthusiastic sporting culture on campus. She highlighted that sports go beyond just week-long competitions — they are about building everyday habits that nurture discipline, resilience, and focus, qualities that are equally vital in academics and research. Echoing similar sentiments, Pullela Gopichand emphasized that sports play a transformative role in shaping a student’s character, discipline, and confidence. He urged institutions to make sports an integral part of campus life, noting that when sports become a way of life, they enrich education and help nurture well-rounded individuals.
The 58th Inter IIT Sports Meet is set to showcase thrilling competitions across a diverse range of sports, including athletics, cricket, football, hockey, volleyball, badminton, basketball, tennis, table tennis, squash, and more. Excitement was already in the air even before the grand opening, with cricket and football matches kicking off early and drawing lively crowds on campus. Chairman of the IITH Board of Governors BVR Mohan Reddy, Director Prof. BS Murty, and several other dignitaries graced the event, adding to the celebratory atmosphere at IIT Hyderabad.
