Rourkela: The 4th National Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) Sports Meet 2025 concluded on Friday with a vibrant closing ceremony at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium, Rourkela, aligning with the nationwide observance of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. The finale honoured the courage, legacy, and contribution of Bhagwan Birsa Munda while celebrating the spirit of India’s tribal sports talent.
Hosted by the Odisha Model Tribal Education Society under the ST & SC Development, Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Odisha, the event was organised by the National Education Society for Tribal Students, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
The closing ceremony witnessed the presence of several distinguished guests, including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, NESTS Commissioner Ajeet Kumar Srivastava, ST & SC Development Secretary B. Parameswaran, Sundargarh Collector Dr. Subhankar Mohapatra, international sprinter Dutee Chand, along with MLAs and public representatives from the region, according to a PIB release.
Srivastava presented a detailed overview of the sports meet, praising the exceptional performances of EMRS athletes and highlighting the growing competitive spirit among tribal students nationwide.
Telangana emerged as the overall champion, securing 230 medals and 714 points, showcasing dominant performances in both team and individual categories. In team events, Odisha secured 2 gold, 5 silver, and 1 bronze medals, scoring 26 points and finishing in second place.
The ceremony featured a series of cultural and ceremonial highlights, including the reception of dignitaries by EMRS students, traditional lamp lighting, Vande Mataram, a wave march, and captivating Odissi and Dhemsa dance presentations. Medals and trophies were awarded to the top-performing contingents, followed by a fireworks display. The ceremonial torch was extinguished, and the EMRS flag was lowered by the Chief Guest and Chand.
The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Subhankar Mohapatra, Collector & District Magistrate, Sundargarh, acknowledging the support of participating states, officials, coaches, and students in making the national meet a success.
