Kalaburagi Sports Festival begins with 1,400 athletes

The four-day Kalaburagi Sports Festival-2026 opened at the Chandrashekhar Patil Stadium in Kalaburagi on Thursday, with around 1,400 athletes taking part in competitions across the city.

Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff inaugurated the festival, which is being organised jointly by the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports and the Kalaburagi Next Foundation.

The event is aimed at promoting a sporting culture and encouraging local talent.

Seven disciplines across city venues

Competitions in seven sporting disciplines are being held at different venues across Kalaburagi.

Volleyball, badminton and table tennis competitions are being held at the Chandrashekhar Patil Stadium in association with the Sprenzo organisation of Bengaluru and local sports associations.

Cricket matches are being held at the Government Degree College campus.

Chess competitions are being held at the indoor stadium of MSI Degree Pre-University College.

Football matches are being held at Virendra Patil Layout.

Jersey unveiled, opening match launched

At the inaugural programme, Mr. Shariff unveiled the sports festival jersey sponsored at a cost of about ₹12.5 lakh.

He also formally launched the opening volleyball match by serving the ball.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shariff said the Next Foundation had organised the festival to encourage local athletes and provide them with an opportunity to showcase their talent.

He urged the participants to take part in the competitions in the true spirit of sportsmanship.

Mr. Shariff also said efforts would be made to include more sporting disciplines in the festival in the coming years.

Platform for local sporting talent

City Police Commissioner S.D. Sharanappa said the sports festival would provide a major platform to identify and encourage sporting talent among local youth.

He urged young athletes to make the best use of the opportunity.

The scale of participation, with around 1,400 athletes competing in seven disciplines, places the festival as a city-wide sporting event involving multiple venues and local sports associations.

The stated focus of the organisers is to promote a sporting culture, encourage local talent and give athletes a chance to showcase their abilities.

Cyclothon route

As part of the festival, a cyclothon will be held on September 27.

It will begin at 6 a.m. from the Sri Sharanabasaveshwar Temple.

The cyclothon will pass through Jagat Circle, Government Museum, Kharge Petrol Pump Circle, Buddha Vihar, Kharge Petrol Pump Circle, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, and the Mini Vidhana Soudha.

It will conclude at the Chandrashekhar Patil Stadium.

The festival schedule therefore includes stadium events, campus-based competitions, neighbourhood football matches and a planned cyclothon route through several city points before returning to the main stadium.

Source: The Hindu