The National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, hosted the 26th Annual All India Inter-NIT Sports Meet (AIINIT) for 2025–26 from 9 January to 11 January, bringing together around 850 student-athletes from 30 institutions, including 29 National Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur. Athletes from across the country competed in badminton (team and individual events), ball badminton and basketball, offering engineering students a national platform to showcase their sporting abilities.
The meet commenced on 9 January with an opening ceremony officiated by NITK Surathkal Director B Ravi. The ceremony was attended by Chief Guest Dhanalakshmi Poojary, a member of the Indian Kabaddi World Cup team, and Guest of Honour Ashok Poovaiah, an international badminton player.
The tournament witnessed competitive matches across disciplines, enabling students from institutions nationwide to interact and compete in the spirit of sportsmanship. The meet concluded with a valedictory and awards ceremony, where trophies and individual honours were presented to winning teams and players.
Commenting on the significance of the event, B Ravi, Director, NITK Surathkal, highlighted that the Inter-NIT Sports Meet reflects the institute’s commitment to holistic education encompassing physical fitness, teamwork and leadership. He noted that such platforms contribute to overall student development by instilling discipline and resilience alongside academic achievement.
In badminton, NITK Surathkal clinched the women’s title, with NIT Trichy finishing as runners-up. In the men’s category, NIT Calicut emerged winners, followed by NIT Silchar. The best player awards were won by Manashree of NITK Surathkal and Aravind Kupupi Rao of NIT Calicut. In men’s ball badminton, NIT Warangal secured the championship, with NITK Surathkal finishing second and NIT Andhra Pradesh placing third. Golla Kiran Kumar of NIT Warangal was named best player. In the women’s ball badminton category, NITK Surathkal finished first, while NIT Calicut took second place, with Vadlamudi Himasree of NITK Surathkal receiving the best player award.
Basketball saw NIT Trichy dominate both the men’s and women’s divisions. NIT Rourkela finished second in the women’s category, while NIT Calicut secured the runner-up position in the men’s division. The players of the tournament awards went to Spoorthy and Maran, both from NIT Trichy.
The Chief Guest at the valedictory programme was Sudheer Kumar Reddy, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Mangaluru. The successful conclusion of AIINIT 2025–26 underscored NITK Surathkal’s focus on developing students across academics, sports and leadership.
