Central Railway emerges champion in Railway Athletics tournament 

Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) Central Railway has emerged as the overall champion at the 91st All Railway Athletics Championship that came to an end at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Stadium in Salt Lake, Kolkata, on Sunday, September 13, 2026. 

The tournament was organised by the Railway Sports Promotion Board, Eastern Railway Sports Association (ERSA) and was inaugurated by Eastern Railway (ER) general manager Gitika Pandey on September 11, 2026.

During the concluding event, she handed over prizes to the various teams and participants. While the Central Railway Team bagged the overall Championship Trophy, Southern Railway was the runner-up. The hosts (ER) won four gold medals. Two of these were won by Lili Das, while Moumita Mandal and Khyati Mathur won the remaining two.

Bhagavadi Bhavani from Southern Railway was adjudged the Best Female Athlete, while David, also from Southern Railway, was declared the Best Male Athlete.

The South Western Railway Women’s Team won the Women's Championship Cup. The runners-up position in the Women’s category went to Southern Railway.

In the Men’s category, Central Railway emerged as team champion, while Northern Railway secured the runners-up position.

"The championship witnessed the participation of 24 teams from different zonal railways, production units, and the Railway Protection Force (RPF), with over individuals, including athletes, coaches, and team managers, taking part in various events. Many of those who participated are national- and international-level athletes," a senior ER official said.

The railway is among the organisations that provide necessary support to sportspersons. Talent is scouted and nurtured, and medal winners at national and international competitions are provided employment through the sports quota. These sportspersons continue to train further and win more honours at important competitions, such as the Asian Games and Olympics. Many such sportspersons were present during the tournament.

They included Arjuna Awardees Joseph Abraham, Jitendra Kumar, J J Shobha, Pappu Yadav, Soma Biswas, Saraswati Saha, Padma Shri recipient L Bombayla Devi, Mohammad Ali Qamar (also a Dronacharya Awardee, and Olympians Sanjay Ray and Bhawana Jat.

ER general manager Pandey congratulated the winners and participants, encouraging them to strive for even greater achievements in future championships.

"This was the second year in a row that Eastern Railway organised this tournament. ER has been at the forefront of promoting sports and nurturing young talent through various tournaments," ER CPRO Shibram Majhi, who is also an office bearer of the ERSA, said.

--IANS

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