CHIREC and Yellow Train School Crowned ISSO National U-17 Basketball Champions
CHIREC International and Yellow Train School emerge victorious at the ISSO National U-17 Basketball Championship held in Raipur.
The court was ablaze with energy and talent as the International Schools Sports Organisation (ISSO) wrapped up the ISSO National U-17 Basketball Championship 2026–27. Hosted by the N.H. Goel World School in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, from October 10 to 14, the event marked a historic first for the state, which played host to this prestigious basketball tournament for the very first time.
A Grand Beginning in Raipur
The five-day sporting extravaganza kicked off with a lavish opening ceremony. The Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Arun Sao, attended as the Chief Guest, setting a high-spirited tone for the young athletes. In his address, the Deputy CM highlighted how sports are pivotal in building character, confidence, and discipline, leaving the students with the motivating slogan, “Khelega Toh Khilega.”
Adding to the excitement, the Deputy CM formally opened the tournament by sinking a ceremonial basket. The ceremony saw the presence of several dignitaries, including Rajendra Goel and Narendra Goel of the Goel Group, ISSO Founding Director Gaurav Dixit, National Sports Coordinator Satish Mishra, and the school's leadership. The event also welcomed young adventurer Kaamya Karthikeyan as a special guest.
Battle of the Titans: The Results
The championship saw a massive turnout, with 51 teams from 46 schools across India battling it out for the top spot. The competition was fierce, but two schools eventually rose above the rest.
Under-17 Boys Category
Hyderabad dominated the boys' division, with three schools claiming the podium spots. CHIREC International School, Hyderabad, emerged as the National Champions after a hard-fought victory over Oakridge International School, Hyderabad, in the final. Indus International School, also from Hyderabad, secured the third position.
Under-17 Girls Category
In the girls' division, Yellow Train School, Coimbatore, displayed dominant form to claim the National Championship title. They defeated The Shri Ram School, Gurugram, with a convincing score of 58–40. HLC International School, Chennai, took home the third-place trophy.
Individual Brilliance: The Award Winners
Beyond the team trophies, the tournament recognized individual stars who displayed exceptional skill and promise on the court:
- Girls' Most Valuable Player: Prabhanya (Jersey No. 11), HLC International School.
- Girls' Emerging Player: Sahanaraj (Jersey No. 06), Neev Academy.
- Boys' Most Valuable Player: Aryan (Jersey No. 15), Oakridge International School.
- Boys' Emerging Player: Agastya (Jersey No. 13), Indus International School, Hyderabad.
Expanding the Sporting Horizon
Reflecting on the event, Gaurav Dixit, the Founding Director of ISSO, expressed his satisfaction with the rising level of school basketball in India. He noted that the vision of ISSO is to provide structured national-level opportunities that allow young athletes to progress toward even greater milestones.
“The growing competitiveness of school basketball across India is extremely encouraging. Bringing this championship to Raipur reflects our commitment to expanding the school sports ecosystem across the country,” said Dixit.
The event concluded with a celebratory awards ceremony, reinforcing ISSO's mission to strengthen competitive school sports and pave the way for young Indian athletes to represent the country on national and international stages.