Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: The 74th All India Police Volleyball Cluster Games commenced with great enthusiasm and ceremonial splendor in Thiruvananthapuram, marking a proud moment for the nation’s police forces.
The prestigious event was formally inaugurated by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who received the salute during a vibrant march past at the Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium. The ceremonial torch was lit by senior National Volleyball Champion Erin Varghese, symbolizing the spirit of sportsmanship and unity. Following the official declaration of the Games as open by the Governor, participating athletes took the oath, reaffirming their commitment to fair play and discipline.
Adding colour and cultural richness to the inaugural ceremony, nearly 180 Student Police Cadets from various schools across Thiruvananthapuram presented an array of captivating dance performances, reflecting the vibrant spirit of Kerala.
The five-day sporting event has drawn participation from police personnel representing all States and Union Territories, along with teams from 32 service branches, including the Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Railway Protection Force, and Sashastra Seema Bal.
A total of 1,105 officers are competing in the tournament, comprising 767 men and 338 women, showcasing the growing participation of women personnel in national-level police sporting events.
Volleyball matches are being conducted across eight courts set up at prominent venues, including the Jimmy George Indoor Stadium, GV Raja Sports School, Kalady Volleyball Club, KSEB Stadium, and LNCP Stadium. The men’s volleyball category features 30 teams, while 17 teams are competing in the women’s category.
Sepak Takraw matches are being held at the Greenfield International Stadium, where two dedicated courts have been arranged. The competition includes 18 men’s teams and 14 women’s teams.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by State Police Chief Rawada Azad Chandra Shekhar, DGP Manoj Abraham (Chairman), Police Headquarters ADGP S. Sreejith (Organising Secretary), Armed Police Battalion ADGP Dinendra Kashyap, and other senior officers.
The grand opening ceremony and enthusiastic participation underscore the unity, discipline, and sporting excellence of India’s police forces, strengthening camaraderie and cooperation among services across the country.
