Tripura University has hosted the AIU East Zone Inter-University Basketball Tournament for Women 2026–27 for the first time, bringing together players from 19 universities across different states for a five-day sporting event.
The championship was inaugurated on Wednesday by Governor and University Rector Indra Sena Reddy Nallu, who emphasised the need for systematic identification of sporting talent at the grassroots level and stronger sports infrastructure to help young athletes achieve excellence.
The tournament is expected to provide a major platform for women basketball players while strengthening Tripura’s participation in the national university sports arena. It also marks an important step by Tripura University towards expanding sporting activities and providing students with greater exposure to competitive events.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Debabrata Das presided over the inaugural ceremony, where two celebrated sportspersons from Tripura — Padma Shri awardee and Olympian gymnast Dipa Karmakar and the state’s first Arjuna Award recipient Mantu Debnath — were felicitated.
Addressing the participants, Governor Nallu said university-level sporting events were not only about winning medals but also about bringing together young people from different parts of the country, promoting cultural exchange and strengthening national integration.
He encouraged the players to utilise the championship as an opportunity to sharpen their skills, exchange experiences and build long-lasting bonds with fellow athletes.
Highlighting the importance of creating a sustainable sports ecosystem, the Governor stressed the need for early identification of talented athletes, especially from schools and tribal communities. He said promising players should be provided with proper coaching, specialised training facilities and exposure to experienced national and international coaches.
The Governor observed that talent identification alone would not be sufficient without adequate institutional support. He underlined the importance of modern infrastructure and professional guidance in helping athletes progress to higher levels of competition.
Referring to various initiatives in the sports sector, Nallu mentioned the Centre’s allocation of Rs 36,000 crore over the next three years and highlighted schemes such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and Fit India. He also spoke about enhanced cash incentives for medal winners from Tripura, while stressing that financial rewards must be accompanied by better training facilities and coaching support.
The Governor also cautioned athletes against doping and the careless use of dietary supplements, saying that irresponsible consumption could harm their health, performance and future careers.
Recalling the achievements of Dipa Karmakar and Mantu Debnath, Nallu said sporting success was the result of discipline, dedication and sacrifice. He urged participants to maintain competitive spirit while respecting opponents and upholding the values of teamwork and sportsmanship.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Vice-Chancellor Professor Debabrata Das highlighted the university’s efforts to strengthen sports infrastructure and encourage participation in multiple disciplines. He mentioned achievements in kho-kho, cricket, yoga, pencak silat and jujitsu between 2023 and 2026.
He also referred to the university’s performance at the East Zone Judo Championship held in November 2026, where its athletes won five gold, one silver and four bronze medals.
Professor Das informed that a new gymnasium had been opened on the campus, while proposals were under consideration for an indoor stadium, synthetic athletic track, modern cricket ground and sports rehabilitation laboratory. These facilities, he said, would help create better opportunities for students pursuing competitive sports.
He added that university sports should not be viewed merely as a pursuit of medals but as a means of developing discipline, resilience and teamwork among students. He urged athletes to treat defeats as learning experiences and use them to improve future performances.
The five-day championship will feature university teams from across the eastern zone competing against each other and provide an opportunity to evaluate emerging talent in women’s basketball.
For Tripura University, hosting the tournament represents a significant achievement and an opportunity to encourage greater participation in sports. However, sustaining the momentum generated by the event will depend on continued investment in infrastructure, qualified coaching and long-term talent development programmes.
Acting Registrar Professor Samir Kumar Sil, Finance Officer Debashis Pal, Professors Sudip Das and Prashanta Kumar Das, Dr. Deepak C.S., Dr. Krishnendu Dhar and Pawan Kumar Singh were among those present during the inaugural ceremony.