Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's football icon I M Vijayan lit the torch to mark the beginning of the 67th State School Sports Meet at the University Stadium here on Tuesday. Finance Minister K N Balagopal inaugurated the meet, and public education director N S K Umesh hoisted the flag. 

Sanju Samson and Keerthy Suresh, the ambassadors of the event, conveyed their best wishes to the participating athletes. 

From across the state, 18,431 athletes will compete in 40 events being held in 12 venues from Wednesday. Around 2000 differently abled students are also part of the event this time. Moreover, 35 students from the Gulf region will also be a part of the meet.

Finance Minister Balagopal said that the state government is continuously pursuing developmental activities in the sports sector, while expressing hope that the camaraderie and sporting spirit generated by the meet would benefit the state. He further emphasised that this is the second time that the event is held in an Olympic model. 

General Education Minister V Sivankutty presided over the event. He described the meet as not merely a competition but a magnificent cultural confluence of Kerala's sporting community. "The sixty-seventh State School Sports Meet begins with the motto 'A Leap into History.' In 41 sports events, across 12 stadiums, children are preparing to write a new history of speed and strength. By providing an opportunity for children with special needs to showcase their talents in sports, we are setting an exemplary model," he said.

The district team that secures the highest points will be awarded the Chief Minister's Gold Cup, weighing 117.5 sovereigns. The sports meet torch was jointly lit by football legend IM Vijayan and Asian Games bronze medalist H M Karunapriya. Following this, Adheena Mariam, a member of the Indian junior basketball team, recited the School Olympics pledge.

The event also featured a march past, with participation from various schools across the district, SPC and NCC cadets, Scouts and Guides, and teams from different districts — including inclusive sports athletes taking part in the meet.