Grand Inauguration of IFSC Asian Championship in Pimpri Chinchwad
Event to Continue Till November 4; 200 Players from 13 Countries Participate
Pimpri Chinchwad:
impri Chinchwad:
The grand opening ceremony of the IFSC Asian Kids Climbing Championship 2025, being hosted for the first time not only in Pimpri Chinchwad but in the entire West Zone of Indian Mountaineering Foundation was held amidst great enthusiasm and fanfare. The event, attended by players, dignitaries, and citizens from India and abroad, was charged with excitement and energy. The atmosphere turned festive as dignitaries released balloons into the sky, marking the official inauguration of the championship.
This historic event is jointly organized by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), and Maharashtra Sport Climbing Association (MSCA) under aegis of International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC). The competition is being held from November 1 to 4, 2025, at the state-of-the-art Sport Climbing Complex in Yoga Park, Pimple Saudagar. Around 200 young athletes from 13 countries are participating in this competition.
Dignitaries present at the inauguration included MLA Shankar Bhau Jagtap, Shatrughna (Bapu) Kate, President, BJP Pimpri Chinchwad City; Vithal (Nana) Kate, former Opposition Leader, PCMC; Col Vijay Singh (Retd), VSM, President IMF; Vilas Padal, Deputy Commissioner, PCMC; Dr. Radhika Patil; Vijay Kumar Khorate, Additional Commissioner, PCMC; Surendra Shelke, President, MSCA; Keerthi Pais, Secretary, IMF; Rasip Isnin, Secretary General, IFSC Asia; Shrikrishna Kaduskar and Sagar Palkar, visionaries behind the Climbing Centre.
During the ceremony, MLA Shankar Bhau Jagtap said,
“It is a matter of great pride that the IFSC Asian Kids Climbing Championship is being organized in Maharashtra for the first time, and that Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation is a part of this historic initiative. This competition will provide an international platform for athletes from Maharashtra and across India. The corporation will continue to provide full support for this Sport in the future.”
The program began with a vibrant dance performance to the energizing song “We Will Rock You,” followed by a graceful Kathak dance that added a cultural touch to the event. The beats of dhol-tasha (traditional drums) filled the air, and the crowd joined in the celebration with applause and cheer. Artists dressed in colorful costumes brought an artistic and grand flair to the opening ceremony.
Keerthi Pais, Secretary of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, said,
“During the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Maharashtra introduced the tradition of fort climbing to the world. Today, through modern climbing, we are reviving that glorious heritage. This championship is not just a sporting event but also a tribute to our history and tradition.”
Col Vijay Singh (Retd), VSM), President of IMF, remarked,
“Hosting an international-level sport climbing championship in India is a major achievement. This event will boost the confidence of Indian athletes and give them exposure to Olympic-level training. The wall here in Pimpri Chinchwad is also suitable for hosting future World Cup level events.”
Surendra Shelke, President of MSCA, added,
“The climbing complex built in Pimpri Chinchwad is one of the most advanced sport climbing facility in the country. It will help nurture and train and ecosystem of international-level climbers from Maharashtra in the years to come.”
The Climbing Complex at Yoga Park, Pimple Saudagar, has been developed by PCMC with the support of the Smart City Mission. It features advanced climbing routes, top-notch safety systems, and modern training facilities. According to the organizers, this project will play a crucial role in India’s ‘Mission Olympic 2036’ initiative.