Kerala Regains National Games Football Gold After 28 Years + UPSC?.ToString()?? UPSC?.ToString()+" Current Affairs";

Why in the News?
Kerala won the National Games men’s football title after 28 years, defeating host Uttarakhand by a 1-0 margin in the final held at Haldwani on Friday. S. Gokul scored the decisive goal in the 53rd minute, securing Kerala’s historic victory. The last time Kerala won the gold medal in football at the National Games was in 1997.
This win marks a strong comeback for Kerala, which had finished runner-up in 2022 and secured bronze in the last National Games held in Goa in 2023.
Key Takeaways
Historic Win: Kerala reclaimed the National Games football title after a long gap of 28 years.
Decisive Goal: S. Gokul scored the only goal of the match in the 53rd minute.
Red Card Setback: Kerala played with 10 men after M. Safwan was red-carded in the 75th minute.
Close Encounters in Past Editions: Kerala finished runner-up in 2022 and secured bronze in 2023 before finally reclaiming the gold in 2025.
Archery Highlights:
Men’s Individual Gold: Manish (Uttar Pradesh) defeated Subham (Uttar Pradesh) 6-2.
Women’s Individual Gold: Laiphrakpam Rojina Devi (Manipur) defeated Chandni Sahu (Chhattisgarh) 6-2.
Mixed Team Gold: Maharashtra defeated Jharkhand 6-2.
Men’s Team Gold: Haryana defeated Uttar Pradesh 5-3.
Women’s Team Gold: Haryana defeated Manipur 5-3.
Do You Know?
The National Games of India is the country’s premier multi-sport event, organized by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
Kerala last won National Games football gold in 1997, making this win after 28 years a historic achievement.
Archery has been a key event in the National Games, with top Indian archers using this platform to prepare for international competitions like the Asian Games and Olympics.
Static Points About National Games 2025
Host State: Uttarakhand
Organizing Body: Indian Olympic Association (IOA)
Sports Included: Over 30 disciplines, including football, archery, athletics, wrestling, and swimming
Significance: The National Games serve as a talent pool for selecting athletes for international tournaments.
Past Hosts: Goa (2023), Gujarat (2022), Kerala (2015)
Conclusion
Kerala’s football team’s triumph at the 2025 National Games is a testament to their perseverance and sporting excellence. Their journey from bronze in 2023 to gold in 2025 highlights their consistent growth. Meanwhile, other sporting events like archery and athletics continue to showcase the rising talent in Indian sports. The National Games remain an essential platform for identifying and nurturing India’s future sports stars.