The Staff Club of the Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh, inaugurated the CSIR-Invitational Indoor Sports Tournament 2025, being organized under the aegis of the CSIR Sports Promotion Board (SPB). The tournament, scheduled from 11th–14th November 2025, brings together teams from various CSIR laboratories, science and technology ministries, public sector undertakings, and institutes from across the tri-city to celebrate fitness, teamwork and camaraderie.

The function was presided over by Ms. Prerna Puri, IAS, Secretary, Sports Department, Chandigarh Administration, who graced the event as the Chief Guest, followed by Padma Shri Pargat Singh, former captain of the Indian men’s hockey team and two-time Olympic captain, who joined the ceremony as the Guest of Honour. The event was also attended by Dr. Sanjeev Khosla, Director, CSIR-IMTECH, along with Prof. Shantanu Bhattacharya, Director, CSIR-CSIO, and Dr. Anuradha Madhukar, Secretary, CSIR Sports Promotion Board.

In her address, Chief Guest Ms. Prerna Puri emphasized that sports help build character and shape a healthy nation, encouraging greater participation in physical activities for holistic development.

In his address, Shri Pargat Singh highlighted the vital role of sports in overall well-being by fostering discipline, perseverance, and mutual respect. He noted that such events encourage employees to balance professional responsibilities with recreational pursuits, strengthening mental health and team spirit. He also motivated young participants and students to engage in outdoor activities for a healthy mind and body.

In his inaugural remarks, Dr. Khosla congratulated the organizing committee for hosting the indoor tournament in memory of eminent scientists such as Dr. Hussain Zaheer, Dr. M.G.K. Menon, Dr. A.P. Mitra and Dr. G.S. Sidhu, as a tribute to their contributions to Indian science. The tournament features badminton, table tennis, chess, and bridge, providing a competitive platform for over 120 players from 20 teams to showcase sporting excellence and foster camaraderie beyond laboratories.

Dr. V. Venkata Ramana, Principal Scientist and Convenor of the tournament, expressed gratitude to all participating CSIR institutions, the Sports Promotion Board, sponsors, and the IMTECH Staff Club for their support. Matches will continue over the next three days, promising exciting contests and memorable sporting moments.

CSIR-IMTECH is a national centre of excellence in microbial sciences, established in 1984 under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. Its mission is to build a strong translational ecosystem driven by fundamental discoveries and to address unmet healthcare and industrial needs through state-of-the-art processes and technological platforms.