Colonel Bhupender Kumar, principal of Sainik School Nalanda, inaugurated the four-day All India Sainik Schools Intra-Group ‘D’ Hockey Tournament for the 2026–27 session on Monday at the school campus in Biharsharif.
Participating Schools and Categories
A total of 192 cadets from four Sainik Schools across Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal are participating in the event, according to Brajesh Kumar, the school’s media in-charge. The participating institutions include Sainik School Gopalganj, Sainik School Tilaiya, and Sainik School Purulia. Matches are being conducted in three categories: boys’ sub-junior (U-15), junior boys, and girls’ U-17.
Opening Ceremony Highlights
The opening ceremony featured a march-past by the participating contingents, accompanied by the school band, setting a spirited tone for the tournament.
Addressing the cadets, Colonel Kumar emphasized the role of sports in personality development, highlighting how they promote discipline, leadership, and teamwork. He referenced hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, urging players to draw inspiration from his life and achievements.
Tournament Schedule and Significance
The tournament will conclude on May 14. Winning teams in all three categories will represent Group ‘D’ at the All India Sainik Schools Inter-Group Hockey Tournament, scheduled to be held at Sainik School Bhubaneswar in June.
Sainik School Nalanda has demonstrated consistent excellence in sports in recent years. Last year, the school emerged as the overall champion at the All India Sainik Schools National Games (Group ‘D’) hosted by Sainik School Gopalganj.
