24,000 athletes, 29 events, 17 venues, 1 city! Kerala's own school 'Olympics' begins

A bigger and better version of Kerala School Sports, regarded as Asia's largest school games, was inaugurated at the Maharaja's College Ground in Ernakulam on Monday.

For the first time, the annual event is held in the model of an Olympics, with as many as 29 different disciplines held at 17 venues in one city (district). Until last year, various games were held at different times at venues scattered across the state. According to the organisers, at least 24,000 students are participating in the Games.

"This is the first time a state in India is hosting its school games modelled on the Olympics," said Kerala's General Education Minister V Sivankutty.

'Inclusive sports' for students who need special care is also part of the Games, the minister said. In addition to athletes from schools in Kerala's 14 districts, a team from the UAE is also participating this time.

Olympic medallist P R Sreejesh is the brand ambassador of the Games. During the Games inauguration in the presence of actor Mammootty, Sreejesh urged the participants to make the most of the opportunity. "I say this always: if you rest for a day or skip a training session, there is someone, in some corner of the world, training to beat you. So work hard. Begin your journey by dreaming of an Olympic gold," Sreejesh said.