On Saturday 17th February 2018, over 500 university students, from 30 different universities across the UK gathered at one of National Hindu Students’ Forum (UK)’s largest events, National Sports Competition 2018. This was the fourteenth annual National Sports Competition hosted by NHSF (UK), bringing together all its affiliated Hindu societies across the country to compete against each other in football, badminton, netball, kho-kho and kabaddi. The day saw not only an amazing atmosphere throughout, with some fierce competition, but was an opportunity for students from different parts of the country to bond through sport.
NHSF (UK) was honoured to have a variety of organisations and distinguished guests attend the event. Run Birmingham led a warm-up for students in the morning and talked to students about the importance of regular exercise. Representatives from Sewa UK were able to promote their sponsored cycling event, Cycle 4 Sewa, to students as part of NHSF (UK)’s aim to encourage healthy living. Coolherbals were on hand throughout the day to provide free massages to students. In particular, NHSF (UK) were honoured to host representatives from all three of the Armed Forces, our main sponsors for the event, who introduced their values and work to students. The Armed Forces’ reaction simulator was a hit with attendees, and the students who attended judo classes given by the Royal Navy came away with positive experiences.
NHSF (UK) was delighted to host Mr Adrian Bailey MP, the Member of Parliament for West Bromwich at the event, as well as the Rt Hon Councillor Ahmadul Haque MBE, Mayor of Sandwell, who presented the trophy for the men’s kabaddi competition to the winning team from Imperial College London. Five other universities were victorious on the day, with Nottingham Trent University winning in football, King's
’ College London in badminton, the University of Nottingham coming out as victors in netball, the University of Kingston winning in kho-kho, and a team from the London School of Economics and Political Science winning the second-ever women’s kabaddi competition held by NHSF (UK).
For our students, National Sports Competition is about much more than winning: it is a chance for them to develop their characters through sport, by practising honesty, integrity and respect at all times whilst on the field of play. NHSF (UK) Chapters played competitively but in a friendly manner, showing honesty when playing and respecting one another throughout the day, regardless of the result of their game. In this way, we look to encourage our students to develop strong ties to ultimately bring the whole student community together.
We hope to see many more students from an even wider range of universities attend the event in the coming years, and build their characters through sport.
