Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 19 Apr: Sardar Bhagwan Singh (SBS) University successfully organised its first-ever 3-Day State Basketball Tournament from 16 to 18 April, marking a new chapter in its growing commitment to sports excellence, youth development, and institutional pride. Over the course of three days, the university campus resonated with the spirit of competition, discipline, and sportsmanship, as talented teams from across the region gathered to compete on one stage.
The tournament commenced with a ceremonial opening, setting the tone for the event. The atmosphere was filled with pride and patriotism as the proceedings began with the soulful rendition of Vande Mataram and the University Song. Addressing the gathering, Prof (Dr) J Kumar, Vice Chancellor, spoke on the importance of physical fitness, discipline, and character-building in a student’s life, emphasising that sports play a vital role in shaping strong and responsible individuals. Prof (Dr) Gauravdeep Singh, President of the University, then formally declared the tournament open and encouraged all participants to uphold the values of grit, fair play, and true sporting spirit. In his address, he remarked, “SBS University considers it a matter of great privilege to provide a prestigious platform to young players and takes immense pride in bringing their talent, determination, and sporting spirit into the spotlight.”
The tournament unfolded in a highly competitive format, with intense league matches played between Pool A and Pool B during the first two days. Each game reflected not only athletic skill but also the determination, teamwork, and resilience of the participating squads. The competition steadily built toward the semifinals, where the level of play rose even higher.
In the first semifinal, Doon University emerged victorious against Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University, earning a well-deserved place in the final. In the second semifinal, Graphic Era University defeated DIT University, securing its position in the championship clash. Throughout the tournament, the technical proceedings were carefully overseen by Balvinder Singh (Technical Chairperson) along with Abhishek, Aman, Kailash, Ranjan, and Surya, who closely observed the matches and assessed the performances of standout players.
The contest for third place was played between Dev Bhoomi University and DIT University, with DIT University securing the third position. The much-awaited final match between Doon University and Graphic Era University stood as the crowning moment of the tournament. Rich in speed, strategy, and competitive intensity, the final was a thrilling spectacle that kept the audience engaged until the very end. With a commanding and memorable performance, Graphic Era University clinched the championship title. The tournament also served as a platform to recognise individual brilliance. Best Player awards for the league matches were presented to Abhishek Bora (Dev Bhoomi), Rema and James (Dolphin Institute), Sujal and Yashvardhan (Graphic Era), Harsh (DIT University), Ankur (Doon University), and Mayank (Uttaranchal University) in recognition of their outstanding performances.
The Valedictory Ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Major Shahi Mehta of 11 UK NCC BN. In her powerful and motivating address, she praised the university for taking such a commendable initiative in promoting state-level sports participation. Drawing a meaningful parallel between military discipline and competitive sports, she urged the young athletes to remain focused, dedicated, and committed to excellence in every sphere of life, including service to the nation.
The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks proposed by Mohd Ajmal. The event was coordinated by Anoop Singh Negi and Mohsin Khan.
