The excitement was palpable as the IRSM WR-II Cricket Tournament 2024 kicked off on 9 April 2024 at NTPC Korba with a grand inauguration ceremony.
Set to run from 8 April to 12 April 2024, the cricket tournament will showcase the talents of six teams from Western Region-II, namely, Korba, Sipat, Lara, Khargone, Gadarwara and Raipur (WR-II), promising a thrilling showcase of skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
The tournament, held at the Mansarovar Stadium at NTPC Korba, commenced with a vibrant opening ceremony. The occasion marked the beginning of an intense competition, where the teams will battle it out for glory over five action-packed days.
The cricket tournament 2024 was inaugurated by C. Sivakumar, RED (WR-II, USSC & Ash New Initiatives). He was welcomed by a troop of Karma dancers and ushered by school children while proceeding towards the ground.
C. Sivakumar, RED (WR-II, USSC & Ash New Initiatives) was welcomed by Shri Sarit Maheshwari (BUH Korba) with a planter, book and Kosa stole with IRSM WR-II 2024 printed on it. On the other hand, Sarit Maheshwari (BUH Korba) was welcomed by Shri Shashi Sekhar, AGM (HR). On this occasion, all the GMs, namely, Arnab Maitra (GM O&M), Shri S.P. Singh (GM Fuel Management) and Somnath Bhattacharya (GM Maintenance) were also welcomed by K.P. Chandravanshi, General Secretary, Sports Council). Smt. Rakhi Maheshwari, President, Maitri Mahila Samiti, Smt. Kasturi Maitra, Vice-President, Maitri Mahila Samiti and Smt. Mita Bhattacharya was also ushered by the rose petals and was welcomed by the HR Department.
After welcoming the Chief Guest of the event, all the participants of six teams lined up on the ground were welcomed by Shri C. Sivakumar, RED (WR-II, USSC & Ash New Initiatives), Shri Sarit Maheshwari (BUH Korba), all GMs and HOHR. All the participants were greeted by Kosa Angvastra, a cap matching its team colour and rose buds.
In the inaugural program, school kids welcomed the teams and a colorful traditional Karma dance was performed by the local dance troop of the district.
Following the program schedule, the IRSM WR-II Cricket 2024 Mascot- Nandi and Winning/ Champion Trophy was unveiled by Shri C. Sivakumar and Shri Sarit Maheshwari. Mascot “Nandi” known as the Indian Bull/ “Gaur” is the state animal of Chhattisgarh and is on the verge of extinction.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri C. Sivakumar said that the main aim of the sporting event has been to promote the culture of togetherness, camaraderie, and team spirit among the employees. Shri Sivakumar added that IRSM has been a powerful tool which embodies and empowers us to be better professionals and more importantly a better human being, he added.
The inaugural event saw a march passed by all the teams and their contingent and a spectacular torch-lighting ceremony in which the captain of the host team along with captains of all the participating five teams lit the ceremonial torch.
Later a fair play pledge and a fitness pledge were also administered during the event by Shri Maheshwari.
Balloons were released marking the glorious inaugural ceremony of the sports event and the cricket match was kicked off after the RED along with the BUH and GMs set their feet on the pitch for a fair play.
The event saw the presence of all GMs along with their spouses, Sports Council members, representatives of unions and associations, welfare bodies, ladies’ clubs and people from the nearby villages.
The finale of the tournament will be played on 12 April 2024.
