Warangal, October 5: The Inter-Collegiate Tournaments for Men 2026-27 (Phase-I) under Kakatiya University began at the Kakatiya Institute of Technology & Science (KITS), Warangal, on Monday. The three-day tournaments are being conducted from October 5 to 7 at the Open Dais and playfields on the KITS campus.
The tournaments are being organised by the Department of Physical Education, KITS Warangal, with the participation of colleges under the jurisdiction of Kakatiya University.
Kakatiya University Registrar Prof. V. Ramchandram, who attended as the chief guest, inaugurated the tournaments by lighting the lamp. Speaking on the occasion, he said participation in sports helps students improve physical fitness, leadership skills and mental balance. He said the government was providing facilities to encourage sports and that participation in district-level competitions could provide opportunities to compete at national and international levels.
He also said sports help develop discipline, national integration and a sense of brotherhood among students. He advised the players to accept failure as part of the journey towards success and wished them success in the competitions.
Kakatiya University Sports Board Secretary Prof. T. Shasthree, the guest of honour, said sports and games are an important part of education and help in developing physical fitness and character. He said both winning and losing are part of sports, while active participation helps students develop a sporting spirit and useful skills for life.
KITSW Additional Secretary and former Husnabad MLA Shri Vodithala Satish Kumar presided over the programme. He said physical education plays an important role in maintaining the fitness of youth. He highlighted the sports facilities available at KITS Warangal, including the indoor stadium, gymnasium with yoga facilities and 25 acres of playfields for outdoor games such as football, volleyball, cricket and tennis.
He said participation in sports helps students manage stress, improve decision-making skills and develop discipline.
KITS Warangal Principal Prof. K. Ashoka Reddy said 973 players from 47 colleges are participating in the tournaments. Competitions are being conducted in six sports—badminton, basketball, table tennis, kho-kho, volleyball and football. Players from colleges in the combined districts of Warangal, Adilabad and Khammam are taking part under the Kakatiya University jurisdiction.
Prof. Ashoka Reddy said KITSW students had represented the South Zone and at national level in different sports. B.Tech final-year students B. Vishnu represented the South Zone in kho-kho, N. Gouthan and P. Likhith in football, and Mayur Raj in basketball. M. Dileep Reddy represented at the All India level in softball.
He advised the participating players to draw inspiration from sportspersons such as Virat Kohli, Neeraj Chopra, Viswanathan Anand and P.T. Usha.
KITSW Registrar Prof. M. Komal Reddy, Administrative Officer and Professor of Physical Education Prof. P. Ramesh Reddy, Head of Physical Education Dr. M. Srinivas Reddy, Associate Professor of Chemistry and PRO Dr. D. Prabhakara Chary, senior physical education directors, coaches, managers, technical officials, heads of departments, deans, faculty members, staff and the participating players attended the inaugural programme.
