HYDERABAD, FEBRUARY 13, 2026: The ICAR South Zone Sports Tournament closing ceremony was held on February 13, 2026 at the RRC grounds in Secunderabad. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR- CMFRI) emerged as the overall team champion, whereas Mrs Aachal, NIVEDI, Bengaluru, won individual championship among women, and Mr Rajendran, CPCRI, Kasaragod, received individual Men’s championship. D Shikhamany, Former VC, YSR Horticultural University, Tadepalliudem, Andhra Pradesh was the chief-guest on the occasion. While addressing the players, he said the sports tournament stood as a testament to the importance of integrating sports into institutional life to build and learn discipline. The event not only showcased athletic excellence but also reinforced values of teamwork, resilience and mutual respect among participants, he added.
Mr Gopal Lal, Acting director, NAARM, said participation is much more important than winning in sports. He praised the organising team for the wonderful conduct of the tournament. The cooperation of the players and their families helped for successful completion of the tournament, he added.
The winners and runners-up prizes were given away for games like Volleyball (Shooting and smashing), basketball, cricket, football, shuttle badminton, carroms, table tennis, cycling, kabaddi, etc. The tournament was organised by NAARM from Feb. 10 to 13, 2026, wherein around 885 players, of which 750 Men and 135 women, from 28 different ICAR institutions participated in this South Zone tournament.
