Emerge overall champs by garnering 1,935 points; Malappuram bag maiden district title while ideal complete a hat-trick of crowns in schools' category
KOCHI: Fueled by the exceptional performance of swimmers and boxers, Thiruvananthapuram won the Chief Minister's Trophy for the overall champions in the Kerala State Schools' Sports Meet, which concluded at the Maharaja's Stadium here on Monday.
In the overall championship, Thiruvananthapuram garnered 1,935 points to emerge as the runaway winners, while Thrissur (848 points) edged Malappuram (824 points) for the second spot.
However, it was Malappuram claiming the overall district title in athletics that garnered more attention, as it was their maiden silverware in the championship's 66-year history. Malappuram finished with 247 points, pushing defending champions Palakkad (213 points) to the second spot. Ernakulam finished third with 73 points.
In fact, Malappuram were behind the top three at the end of the first two days of the athletics competition. However, they started to push their way up through the performance of athletes from Ideal EHSS, Kadakaserry, once the jump events began. In the end, Ideal, which emerged as surprise winners in the best school category in athletics two years ago, maintained their stranglehold over the crown by completing a hat-trick.
"We were able to get crucial points from track events and pole vault. This made the difference. Also, last year, apart from Ideal and KHMHS, Alathiyur, not many schools from Malappuram were able to win medals. But this time, schools like Navamukunda HSS, Thirunavaya, and KKM HSS, Cheekode won several medals," said Shafi Amayath, Head of the Physical Education Department of Ideal EHSS, Kadakaserry in Malappuram.
"Apart from Ideal, schools in Malappuram don't have proper training facilities. We must depend on the synthetic track at Medical College, Kozhikode, or the one at Calicut University, both of which require some travel. Hence, the medals won by our athletes have a special feeling," said Amir Sohail, athletic coach of KKM HSS, Cheekode.
For Thiruvananthapuram, their performance in swimming proved to be decisive. Of the 103 events in aquatics, Thiruvananthapuram won 74 gold, 56 silver, and 60 bronze. Madhava Vilasam HSS, Thundathil, was their powerhouse, bagging 27 gold, two silver, and five bronze.
"Thiruvananthapuram always did well in schools' sports every year. But the performance of the district went unnoticed since the games' events were held separately. The decision to organise all the events under one umbrella proved beneficial for the district," said Amal Ashok, karate Coach of Thiruvananthapuram district.
