The 17th Rural Athletics Sports Meet is on full swing in NTPC Talcher Kaniha from December 9, 2019. Over 450 students from 30 various schools of Kaniha block are participating in this annual sports event, organized by NTPC Kaniha in association with Sports Council.
The Rural Athletics Sports Meet is being organized at NTPC Kaniha for the last 17 years under its CSR initiative. The four-day long sports meet will conclude on December 14, 2019 which will see students participate in different sports activities comprising of races,javelin throw, shot put, long jump, volleyball & football. Athletics sports for Children of Govt Schools is being held from December 9-10 ,later it will be followed by Rural Football & Volleyball for youth from December 13 & 14 respectively.
The Sports Meet was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Shri Sudip Nag, CGM,NTPC Talcher Kaniha by flag hoisting ceremony. Addressing the participants, Shri Sudip Nag encouraged the students to participate with all their best spirits and not be demoralized by losing and take failure as stepping-stones to success. He appealed the students to participate in rural sports in large numbers which provide a great platform and helps in developing a sportsman spirit among players. Shri Sudip Nag further emphasized the need to develop physical and mental fitness which will encourage competitive spirit among the participants.
The event is an attempt to encourage sports among youth. The objective of the sports meet is to promote rural sports events and encourage the hidden talent of rural school children. 40 employees as volunteers including women employees are coordinating the event.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Shri P. Sivaramakrishna GM (Operations) ,Shri K.K Das, GM (FM), Shri Nabin Bagai, GM (SSC C&M), Shri Rajiv Khanna ,GM (Maintenance), Shri P. Pradhan, AGM (Finance) Shri K.S Sarma AGM (HR), Shri P.R Barik, Chairman of NTPC Sports Council, Shri Sujit Kumar Pani, J.Secretary along with representatives of sports council ,Union & Associations. 
