Khelo India-ASMITA Sepak Takraw Women's League Begins

CNB WORLD TIMES

Chandbali,Odisha: The Khelo India-ASMITA Sepak Takraw Women's League 2026–27 was inaugurated at Durgapadia Sports Ground in Chandbali.

The league is being organised by the Bhadrak District Sepak Takraw Association under the Khelo India ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestones by Inspiring Women through Action) scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

The main aim of the league is to encourage female sports talent. It also seeks to improve the skills of women athletes and provide them with opportunities to showcase their talent at the national level.

Prabhas Shubha Darshan Mohanty, Vice-President of the Odisha Sepak Takraw Association, presided over the programme. Dilip Sekhar Nayak, CRCC of the Mathadiha and Pahana clusters, conducted the proceedings.

Purna Chandra Pani, National Executive Committee member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), attended the event as the chief guest. Chandbali BDO Sanjeeb Kumar Mohapatra was the keynote speaker.

Both speakers highlighted the importance of sports and the need to promote sports talent among women. They also stressed the importance of developing a sporting spirit among young people.

Chandbali SDPO Prabhas Ranjan Sahu and Bhadrak District BJP Vice-President Ajay Kumar Nayak attended the programme as distinguished speakers.

Nishakar Nath, Headmaster of Binatara Upper Primary School; Madhabananda Ojha, Headmaster of Patuli Upper Primary School; and Trilochan Das, Senior Lawyer at Chandbali Court, were felicitated for their achievements.

Other guests included Dr. Siprarani Patra, Medical Officer at SUM Hospital; Muralidhar Pakal, OLS Officer, Nuapada; Nimai Charan Patnaik, former Principal of Chandbali College; and Lakshmipriya Nayak, Secretary of the Bhadrak Sepak Takraw Association.

Sports teachers Priyabrata Mohanty, Pradipta Kumar Mohanty, Sushanta Kumar Biswal, Namita Mahalika, Deepak Kumar Barik, Birakishore Nayak, Ramchandra Marandi, Manoj Palai and Sanjeeb Kumar Mohanty looked after the sports management and coordination.

Priyabrata Mohanty delivered the vote of thanks at the end of the programme.

The league has created enthusiasm among local residents and sports lovers. It is expected to provide an encouraging platform for women athletes and help them develop their sporting skills.

About Sepak Takraw

Sepak Takraw is a fast-paced team sport popular in Southeast Asia. It combines elements of volleyball, football and martial arts.

Players cannot use their hands or arms. They use their feet, knees, chest, shoulders and head to control and strike the ball.

The game is played on a court similar in size to a badminton court, with a net dividing the two sides. A team, known as a regu, generally has three players.

The ball is lightweight and is traditionally made from rattan or synthetic material. Teams score points by sending the ball into the opponent's court or when the opposing team commits a fault.