Pune: National Defence Academy Hosts Bakhshi Cup After 3-Year Hiatus Due to Covid
Khadakwasla, 15th March 2023: National Defence Academy (NDA) conducted the prestigious Bakhshi Cup from 9 March 2023 to 13 March 2023.
Bakhshi Cup is an annual sports meet for the trainees of six premier Officers Training Academies which was instituted by Maj Gen Ranbir Singh Bakhshi, MC, the then Commandant of National Defence Academy (NDA) during 1963-66. As National Defence Academy is also celebrating its 75 Glorious Years of existence by conducting a series of events this year, it was an honour for NDA to conduct the prestigious Bakhshi cup after a span of three years due to Covid restrictions.
The cadets from National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigul, Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai and Officers Training Academy (OTA), Gaya participated in a total of six sporting events with unrivalled team spirit, zeal, dynamism, sportsman-spirit and unparalleled spirit-de-corps. IMA won the Football, Basketball, Cross country and Volleyball Competition. NDA won the Squash competition and the Tennis Competition was won by the AFA. In addition, an invitational Hockey match was also played between IMA, NDA and INA wherein IMA defeated NDA in the finals and were adjudged as the winners.
The Indian Military Academy won the overall Championship and the Bakhshi Cup was presented to them by Vice Admiral PK Bahl, AVSM, NM, Commandant, Indian Naval Academy. NDA was adjudged runners up followed by INA, AFA, OTA Chennai and OTA Gaya.
Inter Services events like Bakhshi Cup not only provide a platform for healthy competition but also foster a sense of camaraderie and bonhomie among the cadets from different services. It not only instills a sense of pride and responsibility but also helps in developing a competitive spirit and a never-give-up attitude. Furthermore, such events also serve as a great motivation for the cadets to participate in national and international competitions and represent India on a larger stage.
