Kalaburagi Sports Festival begins with 1,400 athletes

The four-day Kalaburagi Sports Festival-2026, aimed at promoting a sporting culture and encouraging local talent, got under way at the Chandrashekhar Patil Stadium in Kalaburagi on Thursday.

Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff inaugurated the festival organised jointly by the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports and the Kalaburagi Next Foundation. Around 1,400 athletes are participating in competitions in seven sporting disciplines being held at different venues across the city.

At the inaugural programme, the Deputy Commissioner unveiled the sports festival jersey sponsored at a cost of about ₹12.5 lakh and formally launched the opening volleyball match by serving the ball.