my uttarakhand news Bureau
DEHRADUN, 30 May: The first edition of the India Optel Limited (IOL) Sports Meet 2025-26 concluded with a grand closing ceremony on Saturday at the Ordnance Factory Stadium, Raipur, Dehradun. The event was graced by Chairman and Managing Director of India Optel Limited, Tushar Tripathi, as the Chief Guest.
The sports meet featured competitions in 11 disciplines, including volleyball, hockey, cricket, football, kabaddi, table tennis, carrom, badminton, cycling, and athletics. Events were hosted by IOL Headquarters and its three constituent units at different venues. Women athletes also delivered notable performances in badminton, carrom, kabaddi, and athletics.
Among the major results, OLF emerged as champions in volleyball, hockey, and cricket, with OFD finishing as runners-up. OFD dominated the indoor games competitions. OLF secured first place in both men’s and women’s kabaddi as well as football, while OFD finished second. OFD also won the cycling competition and athletics championship organized by the Headquarters.
Winners and runners-up from various sporting disciplines were felicitated with trophies and individual awards.
Addressing the gathering, Chairman and Managing Director Tushar Tripathi thanked the players, officials, and all those who contributed to the successful organization of the event. He emphasized that sports are an integral part of life and play a vital role in building both a healthy body and a healthy mind. He lauded the participants for displaying sportsmanship, courage, patience, and skill throughout the competition.
He remarked that winning and losing are natural aspects of any sport, but the true objective lies in embracing the spirit of the game with honesty, dedication, and commitment. Sports, he said, contribute significantly to personality development while fostering social harmony, teamwork, and mutual cooperation. He also highlighted the physical and mental health benefits of regular participation in sports and encouraged all employees to continue engaging enthusiastically in sporting activities.
Tripathi noted that this was the first sports meet organized at the IOL level and expressed confidence that future editions would be even bigger and better. Reflecting on his 37 years of service, he expressed gratitude to his colleagues and employees for their unwavering support throughout his career.
India Optel Limited is a Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) comprising the Opto Electronics Factory (OLF), Ordnance Factory Dehradun (OFD), and Ordnance Factory Chandigarh. Headquartered in Raipur, Dehradun, IOL manufactures and supplies advanced optical and electro-optical devices to the Indian Armed Forces, paramilitary forces, and internal security agencies. The company was established in 2021 following the restructuring of the former Ordnance Factory Board and is one of the seven newly formed defence PSUs.
The ceremony was attended by Director (Operations) Shambhu Sharma, Director (Human Resources) Sharmishtha Kaul Sharma, Director (Finance), senior officials from all three units, sports officers, employees, and players. On the occasion, senior commentator Vijay Rawat and several officials and employees who made special contributions to the successful conduct of the sports meet were honoured with mementoes.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Headquarters Sports Officer and Deputy General Manager PS Chauhan, who appreciated the efforts of all participants and organizers and expressed hope that such sporting events would continue to be organized in the future.
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