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The Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions held the main event of the Annual Sports & Cultural Meet on 11 January 2026 at the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium, Prasanthi Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh, India.

This annual event is a heartfelt tribute from over 3500 students (from primary school to Ph.D.) of Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions to our Beloved Revered Founder Chancellor, SSSIHL, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The institutions include four campuses of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School (Primary section, Girls wing and Boys wing), Smt. Eswaramma High School, and Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences (SSSIHMS) College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences.

The presentations are the culmination of various sports, cultural and fine arts competitions held across all campuses of the Institute and other Sai educational institutions throughout the academic year 2025-26. This year also marked the Birth Centenary Year of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

The signature feature of this event is that every teacher and student is involved in some capacity. This process is one of several ways in which the conscious effort of man-making and character-building at Sai educational institutions truly succeeds. It prepares students to navigate the toughest of situations without sacrificing their principles and values. At the same time, it helps build strong inner qualities such as a sense of unity and teamwork, determination, discipline and hard work.

Preparations began a month in advance.

The Morning Session

The morning session commenced at 8 a.m. with Bhagawan Baba’s car entering the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium, flanked by the motorbike escort team of SSSIHL. The procession was led by Sai Melodies, the women’s brass band of SSSIHL Anantapur Campus, playing the devotional bhajan “Jai Ho Sai Ram.” It was ceremonially escorted by women equestrians riding two majestic horses. A flag salute was given by all the House and Institute Captains of SSSIHL, schools and allied institutions. This was followed by an escort by the Slow March Squad, a special contingent led by the men’s brass band of the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, SSSIHL.

Following the ceremonial welcome to Bhagawan, which concluded with the students chanting the Vedas, the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of SSSIHL, along with senior members of the Sai educational institutions and students representing each institution, offered salutations to Bhagawan.

The March Past that followed included each Sai student marching in unison towards the dais at Shanti Vedika where Bhagawan Baba sits, offering their salutations to Him.

This was followed by the hoisting of the University flag, which represents unity and the promise to uphold the honour and glory of Sri Sathya Sai’s mission. Students then took the Sports Meet oath. This was followed by the unveiling of this year’s mascot – the Exotic Pigeon, a timeless symbol of peace, purity and hope. As the mascot flew into the main torch next to the Gods of Hill View, it marked the commencement of the 2026 Annual Sports & Cultural Meet.

Students of all the Sai educational institutions—gathered on the ground—then gave a collective bow to Bhagawan Baba, celebrating the 100th year of the advent of the Divine Master.

The brass bands of the Primary section of Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School and SSSIHL Anantapur Campus then played a piece, with the Institute Band members joining in unison, as they marched past Shanti Vedika, saluting their Divine Master. They were followed by the Institute brass band, which offered its salutations. This signalled the commencement of the day’s presentations.

The Presentations

The women students of SSS Educational Institutions, SSSIHL Anantapur Campus and SSSIHMS College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences were the first to present. Their theme, The Art of Sports: A Grateful Offering, depicted the philosophy of sports beginning with art; and art paving the path.

Their six presentations were named The Flexifits, The Numinous Nrutta, The Frisky Flips, The Dancing Damsels, The Festive Flags and The Racing Riders. They included a display of synchronised asanas, the ancient Bhārateeya art of Nātya, a colourful aerial display, traditional folk dance, five-foot flags handled with dexterity and diligence, and a beautiful human formation that read: Forever Yours.

This year, the students of SSSIHL Men’s Campuses–Prasanthi Nilayam, Brindavan and Nandigiri–presented a combined performance of twelve items, split into two sessions.

Their morning presentation began with a larger-than-life installation of Ardhanarishvara, representing the divine union of Lord Shiva (masculine principle, Purusha) and his consort, Goddess Parvati (feminine principle, Prakriti or Shakti), which was rolled into the stadium. The Resonant Drummers then ignited the arena with a powerful symphony of rhythmic Chinese drums, ably accompanied by a variety of instruments. This was followed by Sky Sentinels, a Zipling event, then Utplavangamaah (meaning High Jumper), a teeterboard-based gymnastics item, and Gear Grind, a vibrant cycling presentation featuring a host of solo and group stunts and an innovative cycling football game.

Aerovyuh, the next item, showcased a medley of agile body movements and skillful gymnastics on the ground and on a giant German wheel. This was followed by their final presentation of the morning, Kalaripayattu, an ancient Indian martial art depicted through choreographed duels with traditional weapons, reflecting discipline, devotion, and martial excellence.

The grand formation around Sai brought together all the students from this morning’s presentation before paving the way for the final item.

No Sports Meet is complete without the signature item of motorbike stunt riding. This year, the students of Anantapur Campus, SSSIHL, returned for their final ensemble, featuring forty bikers performing synchronised riding and stunts, including criss-crosses, circular formations, and jumping over ramps and rings.

The morning’s presentation ended with Mangala Arati offered to Bhagawan Baba.

The Evening Session

The evening session of the 2026 Annual Sports & Cultural Meet began at 4:15 p.m. with the ceremonial procession welcoming Bhagawan Baba to the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium. It was led by the motorbike escort team of SSSIHL, followed by two majestic horses ridden by equestrians, and the Brass Band of Brindavan Campus, SSSIHL, playing the devotional song “Hum Tere Hai Sai”. As the Slow March Squad reached the dias, students chanted the Vedas, and the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of SSSIHL, along with senior members of the Sai educational institutions and students representing each institution, offered salutations to Bhagawan.

The Presentations

Students of Smt. Eswaramma High School had the honour of performing the opening act. The I to XI Std. girls presented a delightful blend of innocence, rhythm and devotion (Radha Krishna Dance); eye-catching formations adorned with glittering fabric (Drape Scape); and a dance set to the sacred hymns of Lord Shiva (Shiv Tandav). They were followed by the I to VIII Std. boys, whose items, Elf Dance and Buugeng, showcased gymnastics and Japanese martial arts.

They were followed by a series of presentations by students of SSS Higher Secondary School (Primary section & Girls wing). From The Dauntless Heroes on the Swing (acrobatic swirls and whirls under the banner that reads: Power and Fortitude come from Within) to the Celestial Dance of the Acqua World, the tiny tots of the Primary School immersed themselves in the oceanic bliss of the marine world, taking the audience along for the ride.

Other items ranged from a kathak-based dance to an ode to the Gods – especially Hanuman and Shiva. The highlight of their performance was the sheer range of colours, costumes and props – most of which were handmade by the students themselves. This was evident in the multitude of human formations the entire group created as a final offering, spreading love and joy among the spectators.

Presentations by students of SSS Higher Secondary School (Boys wing) and Smt. Eswaramma High School (VIII-X Std. Boys) followed. Soulful Bhangra dancing was followed by synchronised acrobatic movements, including aerial stunts and formations, by the Celestial Ascendants. The Astral Aligners then took the stage. The deft blend of art and science was evident as these students balanced geometry and symmetry with music with grace and maturity.

They concluded their performance with Garba and Dandiya Raas – Gujarati folk dances central to the Hindu festival of Navratri, symbolising profound spiritual and cultural concepts.

For the final performance of the day, students of SSSIHL Men’s Campuses–Prasanthi Nilayam, Brindavan and Nandigiri–narrated the spiritual process of transformation, using Giant Puppets depicting the Dashavatara.

Sai-Shin-Kai, a team of over a hundred martial artists, then took the field for a martial arts display that combined the disciplines of Karate, Kung Fu and Taekwondo, featuring stunts and nunchaku and sticks.

Airborne, a trampoline basketball spectacle, highlighted a rush of lift, momentum, and nerve—stacked with insane rebounds, liquid-like flips, and thunderous dunks. This gave way to Rope Mallakhamb (popularly known as Rope Yoga), a display of powerful and graceful stunts that depict strength, balance, flexibility, endurance and body control.

Echoes of the Ayudhas – Stories of the Lord told through His Weapons, a thematic presentation that portrayed the changing role of dharma and recollected the leelas of the Gods through their sacred ayudhas (divine weapons of the Gods or implements used in daily life) across the Yugas.

As night fell over Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium, a groundbreaking performance using wirelessly controlled LED suits (a first at the Annual Sports & Cultural Meet) displayed changing formations that conveyed stories with light and colour. The “Illuminators” smoothly shifted from cosmic designs to significant shapes, honouring teamwork, devotion, and the influence of light. Through coordinated movements, they employed advanced technology to animate timeless tales of collaboration and faith in a contemporary and captivating manner.

All participating students then came together in grand formation to sing a devotional song to their Divine Master.

Mangala Aarati offered to Bhagawan Baba brought the Sports Presentations for the 2026 Annual Sports & Cultural Meet to an end.

Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions will host the Annual Sports & Cultural Meet on, 11 January 2026 at the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium, Prasanthi Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh, India.

The Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions include all four campuses of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School (Primary section, Girls wing and Boys wing), Smt. Eswaramma High School, and Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences (SSSIHMS) College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences.

Bringing together the spirit of a year-long journey of sports, cultural and fine arts competitions across our campuses, this event holds a cherished place in the collective hearts of our students and staff. More than 3,300 students will present inspiring physical and cultural performances in two sessions scheduled for the morning and evening. At its core, this celebration is a humble offering of love, shaped by the values of Duty, Discipline, and Dedication, to our most Revered Master and Founder Chancellor, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, as we joyfully mark His Birth Centenary Year.

From 12 to 15 January 2026, students from various campuses will present cultural programmes, including drama and devotional music, at Sai Kulwant Hall in Prasanthi Nilayam. The Prize Distribution Ceremony for the Annual Sports and Cultural Meet 2026 will be held on the morning of 15 January 2026, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Makarasankranti, at Sai Kulwant Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh.

Annual Sports & Cultural Meet 2026 Schedule

The Sports Presentations on 11 January 2026 will be streamed live on the SSSIHL YouTube channel.

The Cultural Presentations from 12 to 15 January 2026 will be streamed live on the YouTube channel of Sri Sathya Sai Media Centre (SSSMC), Prasanthi Mandir Live.

Notes for Editors (About Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning)

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), a Deemed to be University in Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, India, is one of the few institutions in the world offering values-based education to students at the University level, ever since its inception in 1981. Ethics and morals form the undercurrent of every subject taught at the institute providing its students with a holistic framework of interpersonal development combined with academic excellence. With a merit-based, open admissions policy, SSSIHL welcomes students from all backgrounds—irrespective of income, religion, or region—and provides quality education free of charge.

SSSIHL has four campuses across Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, attracting students from all over India and offering a range of programmes at the undergraduate, postgraduate, professional, and research levels.

SSSIHL also provides a strong research environment, with exceptional academic practices, that have resulted in the growth of national and international collaborations. The Central Research Instruments Facility (CRIF), based at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus is one of the few facilities in the country that houses advanced Characterisation / Analytical Tools to carry out Translational Research in various areas of Science and Technology.

For further information, visit: sssihl.edu.in.

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, hosted Mr. Matsumoto Katsuo, Vice President, JICA, on 9 December 2025. He was accompanied by:

• Mr. Vipul Mishra, Senior Development Specialist, JICA
• Mr. Shogo Suzuki, JICA Representative

The visit sought to familiarise the delegation with the Sri Sathya Sai Values-based Integral Education Model and provide them with an opportunity to experience the campus environment and interact with members of the academic community. It also served as a valuable occasion for the SSSIHL fraternity to gain a deeper understanding of the mandate of JICA and the significance of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) initiatives in India, thereby broadening their exposure to global development frameworks.

The event was attended by Prof. B. Raghavendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor; Dr. Srikanth Khanna, Registrar; Dr. R. Raghunatha Sarma, Director, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, Mr. Pavan Kumar, CEO-SSSRIF, Deans, and senior faculty members, along with the student and research scholar community.

Hostel Visit & Student Interaction

The delegation began their visit with a tour of the student hostels, where they interacted with students and experienced the unique blend of discipline, academics, spirituality, and service that defines the SSSIHL hostel system. The interaction offered valuable insights into the practical implementation of Sri Sathya Sai’s values-based model of integral education.

Academic Session at the Campus Auditorium

The formal academic engagement took place at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus Auditorium, attended by all students, research scholars, and faculty members.

Integral Education at SSSIHL

Dr. Suma Rao, Associate Professor, Dept. of Management & Commerce, and Chairperson, Centre for Sri Sathya Sai Studies, presented the vision and framework of Sri Sathya Sai Values-based Integral Education. She emphasised character development, value-based learning, and the harmonious integration of the head, heart, and hands, highlighting SSSIHL’s commitment to offering completely free education to all students as a core expression of its mission of selfless service.

Research & Innovation at SSSIHL

Prof. Pallav Baruah, Dean, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, highlighted the university’s research ecosystem, state-of-the-art facilities, interdisciplinary research culture, and meaningful societal impact.

Keynote Address by Mr. Matsumoto Katsuo

Mr. Matsumoto delivered a thought-provoking address on “Introduction to Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to India by Japan International Cooperation Agency”, covering:

• Japan’s global development philosophy
• JICA’s long-standing partnership with India
• Key ODA-supported sectors such as sustainability, infrastructure, education, and health

The session concluded with an engaging interaction between the speaker and the audience, followed by a vote of thanks acknowledging the delegation’s valuable insights and contributions.

Visit to the Central Research Instruments Facility (CRIF)

The delegation visited CRIF for an overview of:

• Advanced instrumentation and analytical capabilities
• Ongoing research activities across sciences and engineering
• SSSIHL’s commitment to high-impact, socially relevant research

The guests expressed appreciation for the cutting-edge infrastructure and the institute’s emphasis on integrating values with scientific excellence.

Key Outcomes of the Visit

• Strengthened understanding of JICA’s developmental priorities
• Valuable exposure for students and faculty to global development frameworks
• Reinforcement of SSSIHL’s commitment to values-driven education and research for social good

The visit of Mr. Matsumoto Katsuo and the JICA delegation was a significant and enriching engagement for the SSSIHL community. Their interactions with students, faculty, and researchers, along with their insights into Japan’s developmental initiatives, added great value to the day’s proceedings. The institute deeply appreciates their time, perspectives, and interest in understanding the unique values-based educational model of SSSIHL.

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