22nd State Excise Arts and Sports meet begins in Kollam

The 22nd State Excise Arts and Sports Meet will take place from November 11 to 13 across three major venues in Kollam—Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, S.N. Cultural Complex, and Asramam maidan. District and zonal winners from across Kerala will compete in this State-level championship.

The athletic and sports events feature a wide range of games including football, volleyball, cricket, kabaddi, badminton, chess, and track and field events. Arm wrestling makes its debut as an official game item this year, alongside tug-of-war. Sports Council paneled referees will oversee all matches to ensure fair play across general, junior, and veteran categories for both men and women.

Meanwhile, all cultural competitions will be hosted across five stages at the Sree Narayana Guru Cultural Complex. The arts segment includes literary contests, classical music, dance forms like Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam, drama, fancy dress, and bodybuilding. A ceremonial torch relay, arriving from Oachira with prominent athletes, will reach the Chinnakada Excise Complex to mark the prelude.

The official inauguration will be held on November 12 by Excise and Co-operation Minister M. Liju, with Cultural Affairs Minister P.C. Vishnunadh presiding over the function. A colorful march-past featuring athletes from all 14 districts will kick off the ceremony, followed by the lighting of the flame and flag hoisting. The meet will conclude with a valedictory session inaugurated by Women and Child Development Minister Bindhu Krishna.

Published - November 10, 2026 08:55 pm IST