Kalaburagi Sports Festival begins with 1400 athletes

Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff officiates to inaugurate the Kalaburagi Sports Festival at the Chandrashekhar Patil Stadium in Kalaburagi on Thursday. | Photo credit: ARUN KULKARNI

The four-day sports festival Kalaburagi-2026, which aims to promote sports culture and encourage local talent, began at the Chandrashekhar Patil Stadium in Kalaburagi on Thursday.

Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff inaugurated the festival organized jointly by the Youth Empowerment and Sports Department and the Kalaburagi Next Foundation. Around 1,400 athletes participate in competitions in seven sports disciplines held at various venues across the city.

At the inaugural programme, the Deputy Commissioner unveiled the sports festival jersey sponsored at a cost of about ₹ 12.5 lakh and formally started the opening volleyball match by serving the ball.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shariff said that the Next Foundation organized the festival to encourage local athletes and give them an opportunity to showcase their talents. He urged the participants to take part in the competitions in true sportsmanship and said that efforts would be made to include more sports disciplines in the festival in the coming years.

City Police Commissioner SD Sharanappa said the sports festival will provide a major platform to identify and promote sports talents among the local youth. He urged the young athletes to make the most of the opportunity.

Volleyball, Badminton and Table Tennis are held at Chandrashekhar Patil Stadium in collaboration with Bengaluru-based Sprenzo organization and local sports associations. Cricket matches are held at Government Degree College campus, chess competitions at MSI Degree Pre-University College indoor stadium and football matches at Virendra Patil Layout.

As part of the festival, a cyclothon will be held on September 27, starting at 6 am from Sri Sharanabasaveshwar Temple and passing through Jagat Circle, Government Museum, Kharge Petrol Pump Circle, Buddha Vihar, Kharge Petrol Pump Circle, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research and Patil con Harbourd Vidcluding Stadium.

Published – 24 Sep 2026 20:31 IST