Alumni Reconnect at Guru Gobind Singh Sports College Reunion in Prayagraj

Prayagraj : Decades of sporting history converged in the holy city of Prayagraj as alumni of the prestigious Guru Gobind Singh Sports College (Lucknow) gathered for a heartfelt two-day reunion on January 10th and 11th. The event served as a bridge across generations, bringing together over 100 former athletes who have represented various states and sports since the college’s inception in 1975.

Honoring the Architects of Talent
The plenary ceremony kicked off at Mustafa Garden, Kareli, with a deep focus on Guru Shishya Parampara (the teacher-disciple tradition). In a moving tribute, legendary figures who shaped Indian sports—including renowned cricket coach Arun Bhardwaj and football coach Sapan Roy—were honored with traditional shawls and mementos.

The gathering featured a "who’s who" of the college's early batches (1975–1976), with veterans like Pradeep Sharma, KG Mishra, Sanjeev Kohli, and Dr. Bhuvan Chandra Kapri sharing the stage. For many, it was the first time seeing teammates in decades, leading to an evening filled with nostalgia and the retelling of locker-room stories from their formative years in Lucknow.

From Sangam Shores to the Sports Field
The second day blended spiritual reflection with the enduring spirit of competition:

The Holy Dip: Guests visited the Magh Mela area to take a ritual bath at the Sangam, the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.

Sporting Spirit: The energy shifted to the Shagun Sports Academy in the evening, where friendly matches were organized, proving that while time passes, the competitive drive of a sportsman never fades.

Organized by Shahid Kamal Khan and conducted by Shadab Raza, the event drew support from local dignitaries including Gufran Ahmed (President, Allahabad Guest House Association) and various members of the Rotary Club. As the ceremony concluded at Shagun Palace, the message was clear: the bond formed on the training grounds of Sports College Lucknow remains unbreakable, regardless of the years gone by.

(Report by Zainul Abdin)