Photo source: Inter IIT Sports Meet FB page

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) won their third consecutive Inter IIT Sports Championship with a total of 122 points. The 51 Inter IIT Sports Meet was special for the IIT-K as they won the championship on their home ground, where all 23 IITs participated.

The overall co-ordinator for the meet, Samyak Jain, shared his experience of organising one of the biggest events for IITs, and the joy of winning the championship. “The days before the orientation ceremony were the most hectic. We hosted over 2,000 participants, so travel, food, accommodation etc had to be arranged.”

Things were a little settled after the opening ceremony, as match officials, and student volunteers were available to manage day-to-day affairs. Jain said, “I barely slept for four hours, matches would start early in morning, and we would pack up for the day only by 1 to 2 am.”

Luckily, demonetisation, and winter fog did not hamper the meet. Some trains, and flights were delayed, and at some places, on-the-spot payments had to be made, but it was managed. Jain added, “We make payments through cheque only when bills are received and verified. But at some places, we had to make on-the-spot payments, so we borrowed money from friends and managed.”

On an average, the Inter IIT Sports meet budget is somewhere between Rs four to six crore. It includes the infrastructural budget, getting the courts and other facilities ready, lodging, food, etc. It is majorly sponsored by the host institute and this year, IIT-K students also got some sponsorship for the meet. Each of the seven old IITs organise the meet on a rotational basis.

After successfully organising the meet, and winning the championship even Prof Indranil Manna, Director, IIT-K, took part in the celebration. Prof Manna also sent a congratulatory email to IIT-K community. For the first 48 Inter IIT Sports meet, IIT-K did not win a single championship, and from last three years they are the defending champions.

Jain who is a final year electrical engineering student, said, “It was an enriching and fun experience organising the meet. I graduate in May 2017, but I will never forget the memories this institute has given me.”

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