Tamil Nadu schools, colleges host sports, chess, and alumni events

Updated - July 27, 2026 07:15 pm IST

By The Hindu Bureau

Swimming Champions

Two students from Vivekananda Vidhyashram Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Vannarpettai clinched gold and bronze medals at the 12th Asian Swimming Championship held in Bangkok.

• Abdul Hafeez (Class IX) secured a gold medal in the 200-metre butterfly event.
• M.S. Nitheesh (Class XI) secured a bronze medal in the 4x100-metre mixed medley event.

School chairman Siva Sethuraman, correspondent S. Thirumaran, director S. Murugavel, principal A. Sreekumari, and other staff and students congratulated the achievers.

Overall Championship

Students of Subbiah Vidyalayam Girls Higher Secondary School, Thoothukudi, excelled in “Vilayum Payir,” the district-level sports competition organised by the School Education Department for classes VI to VIII.

• Nearly 500 students from various schools across the district participated.
• Subbiah Vidyalayam Girls Higher Secondary School emerged as overall champions in the district’s girls’ category.

School management trustee S. Gouthaman, secretary R. Murali Ganesan, director Lakshmi Preethi, and staff congratulated the students.

International Chess Day

Sri Sathya Sai Balagurukulam Matriculation School, Palayamkottai, celebrated International Chess Day by organising inter-class chess tournaments in the Under-14 and Under-17 categories.

• Matches were conducted on a ‘Round Robin’ basis.
• Every participant had the opportunity to showcase strategic thinking, concentration, and sportsmanship.

Academic Inauguration

Xavier Institute of Business Administration (XIBA), Palayamkottai, inaugurated the academic year 2026–2028 with a Holy Mass and fresher’s day celebration.

• The day began with a solemn Holy Eucharistic Celebration led by Rev. Ignacimuthu, SJ, rector of St. Xavier’s Institutions, and Rev. Godwin Rufus, SJ, principal of St. Xavier’s College.
• Rev. P. Paulraj, SJ, director of XIBA, welcomed the gathering and encouraged students to make the best use of the institution’s academic and co-curricular activities.
• Delivering the inaugural address, Rev. C. Joe Arun, SJ, director of LIBA, Chennai, called upon students to become resilient and value-driven leaders. He advised them to identify their vulnerabilities, transform their thought processes, and remain consistent in all endeavours.

Annual Sports Day

Kings School (Matric), Valliyoor, celebrated its annual sports day with great enthusiasm.

• District Inspector of Physical Education, Tirunelveli, S. Jebaraj, attended as chief guest.
• He honoured the school’s sports achievers for their remarkable performances at various district, state, and national-level competitions.
• The celebration concluded with a valedictory ceremony, during which school chairman Captain Colin Wagstaff, correspondent Navamani, and director Jeya Agnes congratulated the winners and presented prizes.

Alumni Reunion

The silver jubilee reunion of the 2000–2001 batch alumni of National Engineering College, Kovilpatti, was held successfully under the theme Pirindhom Sandhippom.

• Alumni interacted with students and shared insights on the rapidly evolving industrial landscape, emerging career opportunities, the importance of continuous learning, and the effective use of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence.
• As a highlight, the alumni of the 1997–2001 academic batch contributed ₹3 lakh towards an endowment scholarship to support deserving students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Published - July 27, 2026 07:11 pm IST